To: The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
Date: February 27, 2025
Subject: A Request for USA to Impose the Toughest Sanctions Against the Rwanda Regime to Ensure Peace and Stability in the Region
Dear President Trump,
The Movement for the Republic and Democracy (MRD) wishes to express its deep gratitude to your administration as well as to the American people for their unwavering commitment in favor of justice and stability in the Great Lakes region. The recent decision of the United States to impose sanctions on a senior Rwandan official marks a significant advance in the fight against impunity and destabilization orchestrated by the Kigali regime.
The MRD is a republican and democratic movement that brings together all Rwandans, regardless of their ethnic origins (TWA, Tutsi and Hutu). We aspire to a reconciled Rwanda, based on the rule of law, justice and peace. We are convinced that the sustainable stability of the Great Lakes region inevitably involves a change in governance in Rwanda and the end of the systematic aggression policy carried out by the current Kigali regime.
However, the initial sanctions although necessary, remain insufficient to put an end to the destabilizing actions of the Rwandan government. We therefore call on the international community to follow the example of the United States and to adopt more targeted and binding measures against the regime of Paul Kagame and his close associates.
We also welcome the unanimous adoption of the United Nations Security Council resolution of February 21, 2025, which firmly condemns the interference of Rwanda in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This resolution demands the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Rwandan forces from Congolese territory and urges the M23 armed group to cease the hostilities as well as to withdraw from the occupied areas. It also condemns the establishment of illegitimate parallel administrations in the DRC and calls for the resumption of diplomatic talks between DRC and Rwanda, in accordance with the processes of Luanda and Nairobi, in order to prevent a regional escalation of the conflict.
In order to guarantee a lasting peace and slow down the expansionism of the Rwandan patriotic front (RPF), we recommend the adoption of the following measures:
- A total embargo on the purchase and sale of weapons in Rwanda, in order to limit the military capacities of the regime.
- The program of international arrest mandates against senior political and military leaders involved in war crimes and human rights violations.
- The freezing of assets of Rwandan dignitaries and companies affiliated with the RPF, including Crystal Ventures, which finances the regime.
- The prohibition of visas for Paul Kagame, his family and his close collaborators, in order to restrict their freedom of movement.
- The exclusion of the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) of the UN peace missions, due to their proven involvement in regional conflicts.
- The ban of export and trade of all minerals illegally extracted in the DRC and passing through Rwanda.
- The suspension of diplomatic relations and any bilateral cooperation with Rwanda, until the return of a regime respecting democratic principles.
- The sanction of all RPF’s commercial companies, especially those that participate in the looting of Congolese natural resources.
We urge all governments, international organizations and peoples in love with justice to take strong measures against the Kigali regime. Only a concerted and resolved action will end the persistent impunity and open the way to lasting peace in the region.
Mr. President, we thank you once again for your leadership and your commitment to the values of justice, peace and sovereignty of states. We remain available to collaborate with all stakeholders sincerely committed to building a peaceful and democratic future for Rwanda and the Great Lakes region.
Rev. Christine Coleman
President of the MRD
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