President Paul Kagame met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday to discuss bilateral relations and the ongoing security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In a statement released on Sunday, the president’s office said that during the meeting, the Rwandan Head of State emphasised Rwanda’s commitment to a peaceful resolution while underscoring the necessity of recognising its legitimate concerns.
“President Kagame made it clear that Rwanda is committed to a peaceful resolution but its legitimate security interests must be recognized and respected,” the statement read.
The President also reiterated the importance of respecting the ongoing continental process to bring a lasting solution to the conflict in DRC.
Lammy’s visit to Rwanda followed his participation in the G20 meeting in South Africa, where he had vowed to deliver a strong message to President Kagame regarding alleged Rwandan military presence in eastern DRC. The UK has accused Rwanda of violating DRC’s sovereignty, an allegation Kigali has consistently dismissed as unfounded.
Ahead of Lammy’s visit, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe indicated that discussions would be frank.
In a post on X, Nduhungirehe welcomed Lammy’s anticipated statements but hinted at Rwanda’s firm stance on the issue. “Really? I look forward to seeing this and reading a strong statement after the meeting. Welcome to Kigali, David Lammy!” he posted.
The Rwandan government has continued to criticise what it sees as an international bias in addressing the eastern DRC crisis, pointing to the persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese and the DRC government’s support for the FDLR, a militia composed of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Kigali argues that any long-term solution must be rooted in regional mechanisms, including efforts led by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to address the conflict between the Congolese government and M23/AFC rebel group.
In contrast, the UK has signalled potential consequences for Rwanda if it continues to be involved in the conflict. However, Rwandan officials argue that threats of sanctions or punitive measures will not resolve the crisis, noting that past international interventions have failed to stabilise the region.
During his visit to Africa, Lammy also met with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi on Saturday.
Rwanda has defended its defensive measures along its border with the DRC, citing recent cross-border attacks and security threats posed by the FDLR. As tensions remain high, Kigali maintains that the solution lies in political dialogue between the Congolese government and armed groups, including M23, rather than external pressure on Rwanda.
