Once again, President Kagame has issued a warning to any regime foolish enough to harbour, arm, or politically shield the genocidal FDLR militia. This is a historic reminder. In Kagame’s words: “Those who once toyed with the Interahamwe, including some neighbours… let it be clear, we will confront anyone who threatens our security.”
Speaking with the measured authority of someone who’s seen history repeat itself, President Kagame did not mince words: “Those who once toyed with the Interahamwe, including some neighbours, let it be clear, we will confront anyone who threatens our security. We have the capacity you don’t know. We can walk two thousand kilometres from here, fighting if and when we have to fight.”
This is precedent. In 1995, the president issued a similar warning to then-Zairean dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, whose regime harboured the génocidaires fleeing justice after orchestrating the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. That warning, too, was ignored. Within six months, Mobutu was gone.
Today, Tshisekedi is walking that same doomed path. Not only has he armed and integrated FDLR fighters into FARDC ranks, but he has also allowed them to be on the frontlines in his ethnic cleansing campaign against his own citizens, reigniting the same ideology that left over one million Tutsi dead. He’s already paying the price, his military has suffered catastrophic defeats at the hands of M23, and his credibility is in tatters both at home and abroad.
But President Kagame’s warning extends beyond the Congolese despot. It is also a subtle but sharp rebuke to Burundi’s military junta, led by General Neva, one of the FDLR’s closest allies today. While he provides sanctuary and arms to genocidal forces, he too will face consequences if he threatens Rwanda’s sovereignty.
President Kagame’s tone is resolute. Rwanda does not seek war, but it will never tolerate genocidal forces on its borders. The world must understand that Rwanda’s security is non-negotiable. Anyone, be it Mobutu yesterday, Tshisekedi or the Burundian junta of General Neva Today who conspires with the FDLR is walking into history’s unforgiving judgment.
As President Kagame warned: “We have
Let those with ears hear.
ellenkampire