Rwanda makes U-turn on DR Congo refugees

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Rwanda makes U-turn on DR Congo refugees

6:16 CAT | 11 Jan 2023

FILE - Conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands in eastern DR Congo [File photo: AFP]

Rwanda’s government has walked back on President Paul Kagame’s stand that the country will no longer offer refuge to people fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr Kagame’s had said refugees fleeing across the border into Rwanda were “not Rwanda’s problem”.

“I am refusing that Rwanda should carry this burden,” the president said.

But in a statement on Tuesday night, government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said Rwanda had no intention to expel or ban refugees.

She accused the media of misrepresenting President Kagame’s remarks.

“What the President addressed was the blatant hypocrisy in criticising Rwanda which simultaneously gets the blame for state failure in the DRC [DR Congo], and is then expected to accommodate those who seek refuge from the consequences of that failure,” she tweeted.

What the President addressed was the blatant hypocrisy in criticising Rwanda which simultaneously gets the blame for state failure in the DRC, and is then expected to accommodate those who seek refuge from the consequences of that failure. 2/4

— Yolande Makolo 🇷🇼 (@YolandeMakolo) January 10, 2023

Rwanda has no intention to expel or ban refugees. We always welcome people fleeing insecurity, persecution and violence. We are asking for the international community to take responsibility for finding a durable solution for this forgotten group of refugees from the DRC. 4/4

— Yolande Makolo 🇷🇼 (@YolandeMakolo) January 10, 2023