Rwanda vehemently rejected accusations by the United States of being responsible for a deadly explosion at a camp for displaced people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last week.
The blast, which occurred near the city of Goma, reportedly killed 15 people, including women and children.
In a statement on Sunday, the Rwandan government spokesperson’s office called the US allegations “scapegoating” and demanded a credible investigation.
“The attempt by the US Department of State to immediately and without any investigation place blame on Rwanda for the loss of lives in the IDP camp is unjustified,” the statement read.
It further criticized the US stance, stating it “raises serious questions about its credibility as a facilitator in the region and undermines its ability to play a constructive role towards a peaceful solution.”
The US State Department had previously condemned the attack, claiming it targeted positions held by both Rwandan forces and the M23 rebel group within the displacement camp – a claim Rwanda vehemently denies.
Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo called the US accusations “absurd” and asserted that the Rwandan armed forces “would never attack a camp” of displaced people.
The accusations stem from ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC.
The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, a group largely composed of ethnic Tutsis.
The M23 has been fighting against the Congolese army in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, displacing an estimated one million people according to the UN. Rwanda consistently denies supporting the rebel group.
With both sides offering conflicting narratives, a credible investigation is crucial to determine who is responsible for the deadly blast at the displacement camp.
The incident further highlights the complex and volatile situation in eastern DRC, where civilians continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing conflict.
