President Paul Kagame has held a phone conversation with the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, António Guterres revolving around security problems in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and agreed on peaceful processes that should be followed to find a solution.

Their discussions are held few hours after DRC resolved to expel Rwanda’s Ambassador, Vincent Karega.

The reaction comes at a time when the fighting between Congolese Army (FARDC) and M23 continues to escalate with the national army losing different areas to the rebel group.

In a message posted on Twitter on 31st October 2022 at 1:59 a.m, President Kagame said: “Few hours ago I had good discussion with the UNSG on the conflict in E.DRC.

The ways and means to de-escalate...& address the issues to a peaceful end are with us building on the Nairobi, Luanda & other international efforts! We just have to commit ourselves to applying them!!!”

Recent discussions between Rwanda and DRC on the mediation of Angola have seen concerned parties setting an agenda to accelerate efforts meant to achieve durable peace.

The discussions took place at a tripartite summit in Angola on Wednesday 6th July 2022 and brought together the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame; his counterpart of DRC, Félix Tshisekedi and Angolan President, João Lourenço who is the Chairperson of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and mediator on tension between Rwanda and DRC.

Also on the agenda of the meeting, was the establishment of a climate of trust between the states of the region and create optimal conditions for dialogue and political consultation to resolve the current security crisis in eastern DRC.

The roadmap also stressed the need to defeat the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and its splinter groups (CNRD- FLN, RUD-Urunana, FPPH-Abajyarugamba) believed to be at the origin of tensions between Rwanda and DRC and play a major role in the insecurity of the DRC in order to ensure that the threat to security ceases completely.

Creating the necessary conditions for the return of refugees and reactivating the Joint Intelligence Team Rwanda-DRC to agree on the practical modalities and the program for fighting the FDLR, in coordination with the Presidency of the ICGLR and the Nairobi Process were also among outlined priorities as per roadmap released at the time.

Both countries also agreed on reconvening a Joint Permanent Commission (JPC).

Among others, it was resolved that more efforts would be geared towards fighting hate speech and offensive language in the region by all parties.

It was also agreed to prevent violations of territorial integrity and ensuring compliance with the commitments made by ICGLR States in this regard.

The Nairobi Process pointed out during discussions between President Kagame and Guterres requires DRC to engage in dialogue with armed groups to end hostilities.

DRC has not expressed willingness to respect the process highlighting that it cannot engage in dialogue with M23 which it considers as a ‘terrorist group’.

Meanwhile, the fighting between FARDC and M23 is ongoing. On Sunday, gunfire was heard in the vicinity of Rugari Parish.

The areas of Kiwanja and Rutshuru have been already captured by M23 since the fighting resumed one week and half ago.

DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23. However, Rwanda has repeatedly rejected the allegations and requested the country to solve internal problems instead of scapegoating ‘a good neighbour’.

AE News