Britain Will Stop Aid To Rwanda Which Is Considered To Support M23 Militants In Congo

UNSPLASH/Young Shih ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Britain will suspend some bilateral aid to Rwanda and impose other diplomatic sanctions on Kigali for its role in conflict in neighboring Congo.

Rwanda is facing global pressure on their charges of supporting the M23 group that since January controls much of eastern Congo including the cities of Goma and Bukavu, as well as valuable mineral reserves.

Kigali denied supporting the group but said its troops acted to defend themselves against the Congo-based enemy group.

A statement from the British government said Britain would take action until there was significant progress in ending the hostilities and withdrawals of the entire Rwanda Defense Forces from the Congo region.

This includes discontinuing the high level of attendance at events organized by the government of Rwanda; limiting trade promotional activities with Rwanda; and stopping bilateral financial assistance directly to the Rwandan government, excluding assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable groups.

The statement said Britain would also coordinate with partners on potential new sanctions, suspend future defense training assistance to Rwanda and review export permits for the Rwanda Defense Force.

"Rwanda may have security concerns, but solving this problem militarily is unacceptable. There is only a political solution to this conflict," a British government spokesman said.

We encourage Congo to engage with M23 as part of an inclusive dialogue. We will continue to review our policies," he added.