French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the line taken by the United States of America to impose sanctions on Rwanda over allegations of war in Eastern Congo.
He said that if everyone wanted to do as the US did, and wanted to isolate Rwanda, then Rwanda would not make it easy for them, it would not join them in the path to finding peace in Congo that they think will achieve.
Macron was responding to journalists after the Africa Forward conference that brought together France and Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.
Journalists reminded him that the United States had imposed sanctions on the Rwandan army, and some of its leaders, so they asked him: Why don’t France and the European Union also impose sanctions on Rwanda?
Macron said: “We support the line aimed at continuing dialogue with all parties concerned, based on simple principles.”
He added, “First, respect the sovereignty and independence of the DRC, and thus withdraw all troops from Congolese territory. And not just Rwandan troops on Congolese territory. Second, resume political dialogue in the DRC and M23.”
Third, Macron said it was necessary to give the DRC back control over the east of the country, including the work that needs to be done to destroy the FDLR terrorist group.
This also includes joining forces to fight terrorist groups that threaten the DRC and all countries in the region.
Macron said, “In this context, I strongly believe that at this time, substantive talks should be resumed, and I encourage both Presidents (Tshisekedi and President Kagame) to do so, and to bring all parties back to the negotiating table in order to create a joint project based on these four principles.”
Did Kagame meet Tshisekedi in Nairobi?
President Paul Kagame attended the Africa Forward conference, and Tshisekedi attended the swearing-in of President Yoel Museveni, but before he could finish his trip, he rushed to the Nairobi conference.
Journalists asked Macron how the two leaders met, to which they asked, “Were they in Nairobi? Did you see them?”
Macron replied, “I saw them separately.” The journalist asked, “Did they meet?” Macron replied, “No, because as you saw, they were both there but not at the same time, and that shows the tension between them. We must not be ignorant.”
He added, “I have met them many times, and I think that today what we need to do together is for all those involved in this issue to work together. The African Union is following up on this. I think it should lead the whole process. The most important thing for me is to support that organization.”
Macron said that the Congo issue is one of the issues he will discuss with the African Union and the United Nations today, because he thinks it would be better if they brought everyone to the negotiating table.
Hasn’t America been a fool?
Journalists tried to point out to Macron that America’s involvement in this issue has set back the steps that should have been taken, but he replied that America actually wants peace.
He said, “The fact that America is getting involved in this issue is very good. But I think we need to return to the basic principles: reducing the conflict and bringing the leaders back to the negotiating table with all the mediators. In any case, I think that if everyone rushes to isolate Rwanda because the Americans did it, the chances of Rwanda adopting a policy of cooperation would be very small.”
Burundi, Uganda also joins the talks
President Macron stressed that he strongly believes in the importance of talks between the two leaders. And these talks should also bring together Uganda, Burundi and regional countries, and also reveal the truth about the armed forces involved and the truth about the economic interests being plundered in the East of the DRC. He said, “But I think that at that time there should be constructive and respectful dialogue between President Paul Kagame and President Félix Tshisekedi, so that this work can continue and all the connections can be brought back to the negotiating table.”