Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has responded to accusations that he is a tool of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. In an exclusive interview with Conspiracy Tracker Great Lakes, Kabila denied the allegations, stating that the accusations are a political strategy used by the current government in Kinshasa. He also criticized the presence of Burundian troops in Congo, citing concerns that their presence could escalate the conflict in the region.
Kabila, who recently took over the leadership of the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN), also expressed concerns about the security situation in eastern DRC. He stated that the issue of insecurity in the region cannot be understood without examining the history of the area, particularly the events that followed the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Kabila noted that some individuals who participated in the genocide fled to Congo, Tanzania, and other countries, bringing with them their ideology.
Kabila emphasized that the DRC government has been working with neighboring countries and the United Nations to combat armed groups, including the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). However, he acknowledged that these efforts have not been 100% successful. Kabila also accused the current government of Kinshasa of providing support to armed groups, including the FDLR, which he claims has been given open support and armed.
The issue of FDLR is a complex one, with a 2026 UN expert report revealing that DRC's military has collaborated with the group. Kabila stated that the FDLR issue must be resolved by the DRC itself, rather than being turned into a Rwandan problem. He emphasized that the DRC must build its capacity to address the issue, using all necessary means, including dialogue and education, to combat the ideology of genocide.
Kabila also responded to accusations that he is working with Rwanda, citing historical context. He noted that the conflict in DRC has a long history, dating back to the 1960s, and that the current situation is not solely the result of Rwanda's actions. Kabila emphasized that the fight against the Kinshasa government did not begin with Rwanda, but rather has its roots in the country's history.
Kabila criticized the current government's use of hate speech and tribalism in governance, stating that it has contributed to the country's problems. He noted that in DRC, individuals who criticize Rwanda, Kabila, or people from eastern DRC are often accused of not supporting the government. Kabila emphasized that the FRN will work to combat hate speech and tribalism in areas under its control.
Finally, Kabila called for the withdrawal of foreign troops from DRC, including Burundian troops, citing concerns about the escalation of conflict in the region. He emphasized that the issue of armed groups, including FDLR, ADF, and others, can be resolved with a show of political will, capacity building for security agencies, and a fight against hate speech and tribalism.
Key points
- Kabila denies being Rwanda's tool and criticizes Burundian troops in Congo.
- The issue of FDLR must be resolved by the DRC itself.
- Kabila criticizes the current government's use of hate speech and tribalism in governance.
