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Rwandan President Paul Kagame has reiterated his country’s readiness to defend itself against any aggression.
He made the remarks while campaigning in Rubavu district on Sunday.
“When you develop and want to have good relationships and when you build partnerships, you also have to be prepared,” said Kagame.
“What would happen if some don’t want a good relationship with you, and instead want to destabilize your security, are you prepared to confront them?” he added.
“We are always aiming to have the ability to respond, when the answer to that question is needed.”
President Kagame’s remarks are sharply directed at the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amidst rising tensions between these two members of the East African Community (EAC).
Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting M23 rebel group, an allegation that Kigali has repeatedly denied.
The M23 rebel group has been accused by the DRC government and various human rights organizations of committing human rights violations in Eastern DRC.
Additionally, Western governments have asserted that Rwandan troops are present on Congolese territory, assisting the M23 rebels.
These accusations have contributed to the escalating tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, complicating the relationship between the two EAC countries.
Rwanda accuses Tshisekedi’s government of supporting the FDLR genocidal group to commit atrocities against Tutsi communities in eastern DRC and also attack Rwandan territory.
On a campaign rally on Sunday, Kagame said, “as we achieve progress and build more, we continue to strengthen our security capabilities to ensure the sustainability of what we build.”
He added: “We want good relations with our neighbors and beyond, especially African countries and others from around the world. For us, the first thing is good collaboration.”
In an interview with FRANCE 24 on Thursday, Kagame said his country is ready to go to war with neighbouring DR Congo.
“We are ready to fight. We are not afraid of anything,” he said.
At the campaign rally in Rubavu on Sunday, Kagame said Rwanda is willing to work with any country, but added that if that is not achieved, his country is always prepared for the worst.
“We do what concerns us, we focus on ourselves and on our goals, we transform our lives, and we leave to others what concerns them. We know what is up to us and we are always ready to work and live well with those who are willing. But when what I will not mention occurs, we are always going to be prepared.”