Germany Halts Aid to Rwanda Over DR Congo Conflict

Germany has suspended new development aid to Rwanda and is reviewing existing commitments over its alleged support for the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The German development ministry announced the decision on Tuesday. It said Rwanda had been informed and urged to withdraw its backing for the group.

Germany’s last aid pledge to Rwanda was €93.6 million (£80 million) in October 2022 for 2022-2024. However, with M23 capturing more territory in eastern Congo, Germany has decided to tighten restrictions on bilateral cooperation. In January, a planned meeting with Rwandan officials was also cancelled. Berlin stated that development talks would only resume when Rwanda and M23 ended hostilities and withdrew.

Fighting around the besieged city of Goma has intensified.  Reports from hospitals in Goma indicate that at least 17 people have been killed and 367 wounded in two days.

Similarly, the United Kingdom has suspended direct bilateral aid to Rwanda and imposed diplomatic and economic restrictions. The measures were announced on Tuesday, 26 February. They will remain in place until Rwanda withdraws its forces from Congolese territory and takes steps to de-escalate the conflict.

The UK’s actions include stopping high-level British attendance at Rwandan government events. It will also limit trade promotion and suspend future defence training assistance. The government said it will review export licences for Rwanda’s military and work with partners on possible new sanctions.

Rwanda denies supporting M23. It insists it is protecting itself from ethnic Hutu-led militias operating in Congo. However, Congo, UN experts, and Western powers continue to accuse Kigali of backing the rebels. The conflict is rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the struggle for control of Congo’s vast mineral wealth. It has escalated sharply in recent months.

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