French hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon on Thursday criticized what he described as Rwanda’s “expansionist aims” in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as clashes intensified between rebel forces and pro-government armed groups.
“I wanted to reaffirm my fraternity with the Congolese people, at a time when they are facing a challenge that is totally imported,” Melenchon said, after a meeting with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.
It was time for “condemnation of actions disrupting the democratic life of this country, since the resumption of military activities… is taking place at a time when the DRC is organising its presidential elections”.
Scheduled for December 20, elections will include Tshisekedi as one of the candidates.
United Nations experts operating independently, along with Kinshasa, as well as Paris and Washington, have alleged that Rwanda is supporting the Tutsi-led M23 rebel group, which has seized significant portions of territory in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since 2021.
Kigali has denied the accusation.
The hostilities have recently escalated in the vicinity of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, with confrontations involving M23, the Congolese army, and pro-government militias.
Since October 1, nearly 200,000 individuals have been compelled to evacuate their residences due to the ongoing conflict, as reported by the United Nations humanitarian agency.
Melenchon asserted that the M23 rebel movement, allegedly influenced by neighboring Rwanda, represents a deliberate effort to undermine the democratic processes in the Congo and challenge its sovereignty.
He expressed his hope for a reinstatement of a ceasefire and for Rwanda to relinquish the alleged expansionist intentions that have been attributed to Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Melenchon arrived in the DR Congo on Tuesday for a one-week visit, having received an invitation from a university and accompanied by a delegation of three MPs from his France Unbowed party.
