Germany announced on Tuesday that it is stopping new development aid to Rwanda and reviewing its existing commitments, citing concerns over Rwanda’s role in the conflict in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The German development ministry said that Berlin had informed Rwanda in advance of the decision and urged the African nation to withdraw its support for the M23 rebel group, which has made significant advances in eastern Congo.
The move comes amid accusations from Congo, U.N. experts, and Western governments that Rwanda is backing the M23 group. Rwanda, however, denies these claims, asserting that its actions are aimed at defending itself against ethnic Hutu-led militias that threaten Tutsi populations in Congo and Rwanda’s own security.
In a statement released late Tuesday, Rwanda’s foreign ministry criticized Germany’s decision, calling it “wrong and counterproductive.” The ministry added, “Countries like Germany that bear a historical responsibility for the recurring instability in this region should know better than to apply one-sided, coercive measures.”
Germany’s development ministry had last pledged aid worth 93.6 million euros (approximately $98 million) to Rwanda for the period 2022 to 2024. Since January, the M23 group has captured large areas of eastern Congo, including valuable mineral deposits, marking a significant escalation in a conflict that has its roots in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the long-standing struggle for control over Congo’s vast mineral resources.
The decision by Germany underscores growing international concern over the destabilizing impact of external involvement in the Congo conflict and highlights the challenges of balancing development assistance with regional security considerations.
Central Asian countries have agreed on water withdrawal limits and reservoir operating plans for the 2026-2027 non-growing season, with inflows int...
Tajikistan has begun the process of leaving the International Criminal Court, citing what it calls growing politicisation and bias in the court&rsq...
Microsoft has introduced new tools to stop AI agents from accessing data without permission, alongside a Nvidia-powered Surface laptop that can run...
Russia's health watchdog said on Tuesday that no cases of plague had been detected among anyone who had come into contact with a Siberian plague institute laboratory worker who died last week, and locals said their lives had barely been disrupted.
Russia struck Ukraine overnight in one of the biggest attacks of the conflict, killing at least 19 people, Kyiv's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Around 70 missiles were fired at Ukraine during the attack, as well as drones, the Ministry said.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
An investigation into August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has no connection to Azerbaijan, informed sources have told AnewZ.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday 8 October, that Yerevan will discuss the possible construction of railway connections with the Turkish city of Kars and the Azerbaijani city of Nakhchivan with Russian officials next week, according to local media.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
Iran says it will deliver its response to recent U.S. proposals through intermediaries, underscoring that communication between the two countries continues indirectly alongside ongoing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
International cooperation, lunar exploration and the growing role of artificial intelligence dominated the third day of a major astronautical conference now underway in Antalya.
Armenian authorities have frozen a wide range of assets belonging to billionaire businessman and opposition politician Gagik Tsarukyan as part of proceedings linked to the confiscation of property allegedly acquired illegally.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment