Uk Pauses Bilateral Aid To Rwanda Over Role In Drc Conflict

The UK has paused direct bilateral aid to Rwanda, in the latest sign that Western partners are prepared to sanction Kigali for its role in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC.

In a statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office, a UK government spokesman said that "until significant progress is made" on ending hostilities in the DRC, the UK will pause direct bilateral financial aid to the government, excluding support to the poorest and most vulnerable cease high-level attendance at events hosted by the government of Rwanda and limit trade promotion activity with Rwanda.

The statement follows UK foreign secretary David Lammy's meetings with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa and Rwanda President Paul Kagame in Kigali on 21 and 22 February respectively.

The UK "calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access, respect for international humanitarian law, meaningful engagement with African-led peace processes, and the withdrawal of all Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory."

In January, Rwandan troops and Rwandan-backed rebels in the M23 militia entered Goma, the largest city in the eastern DRC's North Kivu Province. UN officials said as many as 4,000 Rwandan troops were escorting the M23 rebels. Rwanda claims it is acting in self-defence by combating armed groups based in the DRC.