The United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, called on Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and his Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi to honour African-led peace processes.
In a statement, the UK noted the African-led processes were key to addressing the conflict in DRC which has so far left hundreds dead and millions displaced.
The UK directed the two presidents to engage the leaders currently picked to lead the merged Nairobi and Luanda peace processes with the pure intention of ending hostilities.
This comes hours after the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) appointed former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn as joint facilitators of the process.
“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,” the UK’s statement read in part.
The European country further revealed that UK Foreign Secretary David Lamy met with both President Tshisekedi in Kinshasa and President Kagame in Kigali on February 21 and 22, 2025 and implored them to honour resolutions arrived at during a summit held in Tanzania which was co-chaired by President William Ruto and agreed to merge Nairobi and Luanda peace processes.
“The Foreign Secretary urged both leaders to engage meaningfully and in good faith with African-led peace processes to find a lasting political solution. They must honour all commitments made at the Joint EAC-SADC Summit on 8 February. The UK will continue to discuss with African and other partners what more it can do to support these efforts,” its statement asserted.
Rwanda slapped with sanctions
Pending the resolution of the conflict, the UK imposed sanctions on Rwanda affecting different sectors of their economy.
UK announced that it would cease high-level attendance at events hosted by the Rwandan government.
It also made it clear that it would limit trade promotion activity with Rwanda and pause direct bilateral financial aid to the government of Rwanda, excluding support to the poorest and most vulnerable.
“Coordinate with partners on potential new sanctions designations, suspend future defence training assistance to Rwanda and review export licences for the Rwanda Defence Force,” UK affirmed.
“Rwanda may have security concerns but it is unacceptable to resolve these militarily. There can only be a political solution to this conflict. We encourage DRC to engage with M23 as part of an inclusive dialogue.”
Heads of state are expected to convene a joint ministerial meeting set for February 28, 2025, where additional details on the ceasefire implementation will be discussed.
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