Situation in Eastern DRC Germany suspends new development funding to Rwanda

    Press release 4 March 2025 | The German government, like the European Union and the Security Council of the United Nations in its Resolution 2773, has repeatedly expressed its views on the situation in Eastern Congo and on the actions of the M23, which is supported by Rwanda, and of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), including the capture of the provincial capitals of Goma (North Kivu) and Bukavu (South Kivu). We utterly condemn these actions, which are a violation of the ceasefire based on the Luanda Process and a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The German government supports the African-led mediation efforts.

    Acting in consultation with its partners, Germany will further restrict the scope of its bilateral cooperation with Rwanda. In particular, we will suspend new financial commitments, review existing cooperation with the Rwandan government in the field of development cooperation, suspend high-level participation in development cooperation events organised by the Rwandan government and, together with other partners, will seek an appropriate response in the case of multilateral programmes.

    The Rwandan side was informed of this decision in advance. When communicating this decision, in accordance with the position taken by the European Union the familiar expectations towards the Rwandan side were reiterated, in particular the calls for withdrawal of Rwanda Defence Forces and for support given to the M23 to cease. It was also underlined when communicating the decision that Rwandan security concerns must be taken seriously and that Germany is also in contact with the Congolese side regarding these concerns.