July 26, 2022
Cited article by Hereward Holland, Reuters
HRRC supports the withholding of military aid to Rwanda given evidence showing that the country is backing rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). By withholding aid, the U.S. provides an opportunity for open dialogue between Rwanda and the DRC, which could amount to peaceful resolution.
Article Summary
A chairman on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee is questioning whether the U.S. should withhold aid to Rwanda. This question is due to the Rwandan government's human rights record and its role in the conflict in the DRC. Senator Robert Menendez stated that he was concerned over U.S. aid to Rwandan military while it is actively deployed in the Congo and supporting rebel groups.
Specifically, the Congo government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which began a significant offensive on the eastern border with Rwanda in March. Additionally, Menendez pointed to credible accusations that Rwanda has been silencing critics in the country and targeting dissidents outside of its borders. The U.S. State Department has called for growing tensions to be resolved via dialogue between Rwanda and the DRC.