Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe recently addressed pressing concerns regarding the ongoing peace process between the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) and Rwanda. Last week, officials from Kigali and Kinshasa convened in London for the sixth session of their Joint Monitoring Committee, dedicated to overseeing the peace accord. During this crucial meeting, both nations pledged to alleviate escalating tensions, particularly in the Minembwe region, and to broaden the scope of the existing ceasefire verification mechanism.

This renewed commitment, however, emerges amidst a backdrop of increasing sanctions imposed by Washington on various Rwandan officials and entities. These sanctions stem from allegations of complicity in the illicit trade of gold and coltan, minerals reportedly originating from areas under the control of the AFC/M23. Furthermore, US envoy Massad Boulos, speaking before the Security Council, openly questioned Kigali’s compliance with its previously agreed commitments. The central question remains: how does Rwanda respond to these mounting and converging accusations, and does it stand by its initial narrative? Minister Nduhungirehe offers his perspective in an exclusive interview with Patient Ligodi.