His speech was very scrutinized. Emmanuel Macron, visiting Kinshasa on Saturday March 4, did not clearly condemn Rwanda, but issued strong warnings to Kigali. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebel group M23, against which it is fighting in the east of the country. Kigali, however, denies any support for this group.
The President of the Republic, who spoke alongside his Congolese counterpart, Félix Tshisekedi, however refused to "escalate the platform" on this sensitive subject. Former Zaire is not a former French colony, but the perception of Paris' support for neighboring Rwanda is being watched closely by Kinshasa, where anti-France protests have taken place in recent days.
On the humanitarian level, Emmanuel Macron announced during this press conference the release of 34 million euros to help the populations affected by the consequences of the rebellion, which is added to an envelope of 47 million from the European Union. The European Commission, for its part, announced the establishment of a "humanitarian air bridge" to Goma.
"DRC must not be spoils of war"
"France has consistently condemned the M23," Macron said of the rebels in eastern DRC. "Let everyone take responsibility, including Rwanda," he added. The French president insisted on respecting the current plan to end the violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, saying that sanctions would be taken against those who do not respect it: "Those who will obstruct the peace plan (…) know what they are exposing themselves to, including sanctions. »
"What we expect from Rwanda and other [actors] is to commit and respect the appointments they give themselves under the supervision of the mediators, and if they do not respect [them], so yes, there may be sanctions, I say it very clearly, ”explained Emmanuel Macron.
The French head of state expressed the wish that the ceasefire expected for next Tuesday as part of the process initiated under the aegis of Angola, where he went on Friday, be respected. “The Democratic Republic of the Congo must not be war booty. The open looting of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must stop: no looting, no balkanization, no war," he said, repeating France's support for "territorial integrity and sovereignty." from the country.
"I remain skeptical about the good faith of those who attacked us," said DRC President Felix Tshisekedi. And to add: “The question is whether Rwanda can do without this systematic looting of the DRC which dates back twenty years. If so, it will be verified through this process. »
Mr. Macron for the establishment of a commission of historians
France and Rwanda grew closer after Emmanuel Macron acknowledged in 2021 France's responsibilities in the genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994, but the French president has always denied favoring Kigali. Emmanuel Macron has also joined the DRC, the United Nations and other countries in denouncing Rwanda's support for the M23 group.
Asked about the role of France in the recent history of this region of the world, Emmanuel Macron said he was in favor of the establishment of a commission of historians "which can assign the responsibilities of each other". "I'm for the truth, the whole truth, I'm not for taking all the burdens," he said.
“Since 1994, you have not been able to restore sovereignty (…). We must not look for responsibilities outside,” he said, calling on Kinshasa to ensure that those responsible for the atrocities are brought to justice.
