France calls on “Rwanda to cease all support for the M23” active in eastern DRC

Paris also asks Kigali, this February 20, to “

withdraw from Congolese territory

”. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is therefore toughening its tone towards Paul Kagame's regime.

Monday February 19, 2024, in Goma, a demonstrator denounces the silence of the international community in the face of Rwanda's interference via the M23 militia in eastern DRC. AFP - GUERCHOM NDEBO

By: RFI Follow

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Paris calls on “ 

Rwanda to cease all support for the

M23

and to withdraw from Congolese territory

 ”. The Quai d'Orsay says it is " 

very concerned about the situation in the East, particularly around

Goma

and Saké

 ." The press release adds that “ 

attacks on the territorial integrity of the DRC are unacceptable 

” and that “ 

M23 must stop fighting immediately and withdraw from all areas it occupies

 ”. Finally, in the same text, Paris considers that “ 

the Congolese armed forces must cease all collaboration with the FDLR

 ”.

With this declaration, France aligns itself with the American position. Last Saturday, the United States condemned the escalation of violence attributed to the M23 rebels. The State Department also called for the withdrawal of the Rwandan army and asked Kigali to “ 

withdraw its surface-to-air missile systems, which threaten the lives of civilians, UN force soldiers and humanitarian workers

 ”.

Convictions which come after a movement of anger against Western chancelleries,

notably in Kinshasa

but also

in Goma, Monday February 19

. The demonstrators denounced the indifference of the international community.

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