The UK government has announced that it will cease events hosted by the Rwandan government and will halt aid to East African countries over the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)'s progress by Kigali-backed rebels.
The UK is also threatening sanctions against Rwanda, which supports the DRC's M23 rebel group.
The group is fighting against UN experts who claim that rebels are supported by around 4,000 Rwandan troops, as they are fighting for control of the DRC's mineral-rich eastern region. The group occupied the cities of Goma and Bukabu.
On Tuesday, the UK's Foreign, Federal and Development Office (FCDO) said it would limit its involvement with the Kigali government over links with rebels.
“The UK calls for immediate halt of hostilities, humanitarian access, respect for international humanitarian law, meaningful involvement with Africa-led peace processes, and withdrawal of all Rwandan defence forces from Congolese territory,” the government ministry said. said.
The UK government has “stop high levels of attendance at events hosted by the Rwandan government,” suspending financial aid to everyone except the “poorest and most vulnerable” in Rwanda, and promoting trade activities limits.
The Rwandan Defence Force's export license is under review and training for its soldiers has been suspended, the FCDO said.
The UK also warned that it will “coordinate with partners regarding potential new sanctions designations.”
The statement added: “There may be security concerns in Rwanda, but it is unacceptable to resolve these things militarily. Only political solutions to this conflict can exist. The DRC is part of a comprehensive dialogue. We recommend interacting with the M23 as well.
“We will continue to review our policy.”
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Last week, the government summoned High Commissioner Johnston Busingi, the UK's top Rwanda diplomat, to raise concerns about the conflict.
The Eastern DRC has been the site of repeated outbreaks of hostilities since the 1994 Tutsi genocide of neighboring Rwanda.
Rwanda accused the Congolese government of enlisting some of the genocide leaders into its army.
M23 claims they are fighting to protect the eastern DRC Tuttis from discrimination, with some analysts suggesting that the group intends to take power in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital. It's there.
