To: United Nations Security Council
United Nations Headquarters
405 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
USA
Date: March 15, 2025
REF: Urgent Demand For Economic, Political, And Military Sanctions Against Rwandan Senior Leadership For Their Role In The Destabilization Of The Democratic Republic Of Congo And Support Of M23 Rebels
Dear Esteemed Representatives of the International Community,
I write to you today with profound urgency and moral conviction on behalf of the millions of Congolese and Rwandan people who are enduring unimaginable suffering at the hands of the RDF-M23 rebels. The atrocities being committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) constitute not only egregious violations of human rights but also a flagrant disregard for DRC territorial integrity, international law and the sanctity of human life. These crimes are being perpetrated with the direct support of General Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, and his regime.
The current crisis in the DRC is not an isolated incident but a continuation of the systematic violence, destabilization, and exploitation of Congo’s resources that began on October 23, 1996, when Rwandan troops, led by General Paul Kagame, General James Kabarebe, and General Kayumba Nyamwasa, invaded the DRC. As meticulously documented in the United Nations Mapping Report on the DRC (2003), this invasion resulted in the deaths of over 6 million Congolese people and Rwandan refugees, as well as the rape of more than 4 million women and children. The UN Mapping Report explicitly stated that if proven by a special international humanitarian court—similar to those established for Rwanda and Yugoslavia—these atrocities could be classified as genocide against the Hutu tribes in Congo and Hutu refugees of Rwanda.
Despite this damning evidence, the international community has failed to hold General Paul Kagame and his regime accountable. This inaction has emboldened Kagame, who now operates with impunity, not only in the region but across the globe. For instance, Canadian intelligence has warned Rwandan dissidents living in Canada that Kagame’s operatives are spying on them with intent to harm them. Similarly, in Belgium, Canadian journalist Judi Rever was targeted by Rwandan intelligence in an attempted assassination reminiscent of the Jamal Khashoggi case. These incidents are not isolated; Rwandan dissidents have been targeted in Europe, Australia, and, most recently, in the United States, where Rwandan Embassy staff in Washington, DC, infiltrated a university Zoom presentation to surveil the child of Paul Rusesabagina, the hero of the Hotel Rwanda movie.
The ongoing support for the M23 rebels by Rwanda is a direct consequence of this impunity. The Rwandan government continues to destabilize the DRC, using international aid and resources to fund weapons and militias that kill innocent Congolese civilians. Additionally, the regime has engaged in arbitrary torture and killings within Rwanda, such as the tragic murder of the popular Tutsi musician Kizito Mihigo. These actions underscore the regime’s blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law.
We, the MRD, stand on behalf of the millions of victims and their families to strongly condemn these atrocities and demand the following:
- Immediate and Comprehensive Sanctions: We call for harsh economic, political, and military sanctions against the senior leadership of Rwanda, including General Paul Kagame, for their role in supporting the M23 rebels and destabilizing the DRC.
- End to Military and Financial Aid: No aid, except for strictly monitored humanitarian assistance, should be sent to Rwanda. The Kigali regime has repeatedly misused international aid to fund its military operations in the DRC.
- Accountability and Justice: We urge the international community to establish a special international humanitarian court to investigate and prosecute the crimes committed by Rwandan troops in the DRC, as recommended by the UN Mapping Report.
- Protection of Civilians: Immediate action must be taken to protect the civilians in the DRC especially refugees and Hutus population who are being targeted by the RDF/M23 rebels.
- Boycott of Rwandan Initiatives: We call for a boycott of Visit Rwanda campaigns, international meetings, conferences, and initiatives hosted in Rwanda until the regime demonstrates a genuine commitment to peace, justice, and accountability.
The international community has a moral and legal obligation to act. You stand for human rights, justice, and accountability worldwide. You cannot continue to turn a blind eye as the people of the DRC suffer.
We urge you to take decisive and immediate action to hold General Paul Kagame and his regime accountable for their crimes. The people of the DRC and Rwanda deserve peace, justice, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives free from fear and violence.
Rev. Christine COLEMAN
President of MRD
CC – United States Ambassador to the United Nations
– European Union Ambassador to the United Nations
– Russia Ambassador to the United Nations
– Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations
– Ambassador of France to the United Nations
– United Kingdom Ambassador to the United Nations
– Canada Ambassador to the United Nations
– Australia Ambassador to the United Nations
– New Zealand Ambassador to the United Nations
– African Union Representative to the United Nations
– RDC President Office
– Burundi President Office
The Movement for the Republic and Democracy (MRD)
mrdrubanda.com | Washington DC, USA | repubulika@gmail.com | X: repubulika@gmail.com
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