Macron Urges Rwanda To End Support For M23 Rebels In DRC

Rwanda must end support for M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and withdraw troops from its neighbor’s territory, French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday.

“We argue for territorial integrity on the African continent as well” as in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Macron told a joint press conference with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi.

“Rwanda must halt support for M23 and withdraw its forces from Congolese territory,” he added, insisting, “France will never give any ground on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC.”

Tshisekedi welcomed France’s “even stronger support at the side of the Congolese people”, saying it showed his country “can count on France.” Kinshasa would be open to new talks with Kigali once its troops “have left” DRC territory, he added.