Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi has called on the United Nations (UN) to serve Rwanda with more sanctions and described the action taken so far as “insufficient”.
Tshisekedi further advised the international community to avoid the policy of double standards as tension between the Kinshasa and Kigali continues to rise.
Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday night, Tshisekedi said he was still awaiting binding sanctions against Rwanda whom he considers as the main supporters of the M23 rebels in the ongoing war in eastern DRC.
“I believe, I have always said to the Secretary General of the United Nations, to all my interlocutors especially those whose countries are members of the Security Council, that our satisfaction will only be total when the Security Council of the Nations -United States will decide to take sanctions against Rwanda. Because for acts similar to those of Russia, a shower of sanctions has been decided. Why, in a case similar to that of Russia and Ukraine, it is there any sanction? So, as long as there is not that, all the resolutions for me will be, so to speak, ‘can do better’, as mentioned” Tshisekedi said.
While there has been increased pressure exerted on Rwanda by the international community, Tshisekedi believes that the pressure must be accompanied with restrictive measures or the expected results will not be achieved.
“The pressures must continue, that’s very good. But when the pressures are not accompanied by constraints, it risks tiring the person or institution targeted, and ultimately, it risks not producing the expected results. I believe that the pressures, yes, were quite strong, they provoked reactions, but that is not enough. It’s a good start, but as I said previously, if we had to give a mention, we would say ‘can do better’ And we are only asking that from the international community: to do more,” Tshisekedi said.
Six new individuals, including members of the M23, the Twirwaneho group, the ADF as well as the FDLR, have recently been added to the UN sanctions list.
The UN made announcement was made this week during the Security Council meeting on the deteriorating security situation in the eastern part of DR Congo.
