The Rwandan government has vehemently denied its alleged involvement in the bombing that occurred in the Lushagala site, Mugunga district, in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), resulting in the death of 16 displaced civilians.
The incident occurred following heavy fighting between the M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers and coalition forces in the area.
Both the M23 rebels and the DRC government/coalition have released statements accusing each other of firing bombs in the camp.
International condemnation followed the incident, with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United States Department of State blaming Rwanda for backing the M23 rebels.
However, the Rwandan government has strongly rejected these accusations, calling for credible investigation and verification to establish the truth.
Rwanda argues that warnings about the placement of heavy artillery by the FARDC within IDP camps had been issued by organizations in Goma, including Médecins Sans Frontières.
It also criticizes the US government for immediately placing blame on Rwanda without conducting any investigation, stating that such scapegoating has become a pattern.
“The attempt by the US Department of State in its statement of 4 May 2024, to immediately and without any investigation place blame on Rwanda for the loss of lives in the IDP camps, is unjustified.
Rwanda will not shoulder the responsibility for the bombing of the IDP camps around Goma, or the security and governance failures of the government of the DRC” reads a statement issued by Rwanda.
Rwanda adds that because President Félix Tshisekedi and the Congolese leadership persistently threaten to invade Rwanda and overthrow its government by force, saying that Rwanda will continue to take measures to ensure the complete defense of Rwandan territory, and take any legitimate measures to defend the country.
“This is why Rwanda will continue to take measures to ensure the complete defense of Rwandan territory and take any legitimate measures to defend our country,” Rwanda adds in a statement.
It also highlights the ongoing tensions between the M23 rebels and the FARDC/coalition in the region. The conflict between M23 and the DR Congo government has been ongoing, with accusations of Rwandan support for the rebels.
However, both Rwanda and the M23 rebels deny these claims, with the rebels stating that they are fighting against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the leadership of the DRC.
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