Rwandan President Paul Kagame has strongly rejected allegations that Rwanda’s involvement in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is driven by a desire to benefit from the region’s mineral wealth.
Speaking at the opening of the 20th annual Umushyikirano National Dialogue Forum in Kigali, Kagame addressed persistent claims that Rwanda is in the DRC to exploit its rich mineral resources. The forum, which brings together Rwandan leaders and citizens to discuss national priorities, has taken place amid heightened regional tensions.
Kagame described the narrative that Rwanda seeks Congolese minerals as unfounded and illogical, stating that if Rwanda were in the Congo for minerals, the country “would be a hundred times richer than it is now.” He characterised the allegations as distractions from what he described as the true security challenges facing Rwanda and the region.
The president emphasised that Rwanda’s focus is on national security, self-reliance and defending its sovereignty, rather than on economic gain from neighbouring resources. He criticised some international actors for what he described as contradictory narratives and “double standards” regarding Rwanda’s regional involvement.
Kagame also reiterated Rwanda’s longstanding position that external accusations often overlook the underlying security issues, particularly the presence of armed groups linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which Kigali views as a key threat emanating from eastern Congo.
His remarks reflect ongoing diplomatic friction between Kigali and Kinshasa, with both governments exchanging accusations over security and influence in the mineral-rich Great Lakes region. Rwanda continues to reject claims of backing armed groups for economic purposes, insisting instead that its actions are driven by legitimate security concerns.