While the regime of Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa has spearheaded what it calls an “aggressive diplomatic campaign” “to isolate Rwanda”, it’s remained mere noise with no achievement.
They have engaged in what they call “intense lobbying”, including appeals to global financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF. They have failed, badly.
This week brought a powerful testament to Rwanda’s enduring and growing international standing.
The Rwandan government, in collaboration with the United Nations, signed the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework – a landmark agreement that will see the UN mobilize approximately $1.04 billion over the next five years through joint development programs.
It’s a significant win.
Just recently, Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Therese Kayikwamba was demanding UN sanctions on Rwanda, citing allegations of support for the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC. But rather than “isolate Kigali”, the international community is increasingly engaging with it.
The same UN that was urged to impose penalties has now partnered with Rwanda in a billion-dollar development deal. The contrast is striking and telling.
The campaign against Rwanda has relied heavily on propaganda and lying rhetoric.
That may generate headlines, but they are the noises of fools unlikely to persuade any thinking person or organization. Politics or diplomacy after all is not about shouting, whining, or making noise. It’s about results and Kigali is delivering them.
Even childish acts such as DRC’s decision to ban RwandAir and close its airspace – which was intended to cripple Rwanda’s national carrier – have had little impact on Rwanda.
In fact RwandAir has expanded its footprint, growing its presence in West Africa and elsewhere.
Kigali’s calm, consistent, and development-focused diplomacy is clearly paying off.
Congolese? They can either learn, or go on making empty noises.
ellenkampire