In a bold statement delivered during a meeting of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) Political Bureau on Friday, July 17, 2026, President Paul Kagame firmly addressed the escalating tensions in the Great Lakes region. With Rwanda facing international sanctions and ongoing accusations regarding its alleged support for the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kagame made it clear that any attempt to eliminate the M23 would be seen as an existential threat to Rwanda itself.
Kagame emphasizes Rwanda’s unwavering stance
Speaking to his party’s leadership, the Rwandan president did not mince words. He warned that silencing Rwanda or dismissing its security concerns would not be tolerated, going so far as to say that the only way to achieve such an outcome would be through his death. His remarks underscored a defiant tone, reflecting the gravity of the situation in a region plagued by persistent conflicts.
“Silencing people will be harder than some think. Telling us to be quiet means supporting those who want to come and kill you, just as they did last time, and we will handle it our way. The only way to silence me is when I am dead. That’s all there is to it,” Kagame declared.
Kagame also rejected any notion of unequal value among human lives, emphasizing that his government and the RPF do not subscribe to such discriminatory perspectives. Acknowledging Rwanda’s small size and vulnerability, he conceded that the country could be harmed but stressed that any desire for its disappearance would have far-reaching consequences.
“Belittling everything and acting as if some lives matter more than others is not my policy. It is not the policy of the RPF. We are a small country, insignificant in many ways. You can hurt us, but wishing for our disappearance is no small matter.”
M23 and the Great Lakes crisis
The president’s remarks come amid a deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group, accused by the UN and Western nations of receiving support from Rwanda, continues to control large swathes of territory in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Kagame dismissed claims that calls to eliminate the M23 were confined solely to the rebel group, asserting that such statements were directed at Rwanda itself.
“When they say they will make the M23 disappear, what they really mean is that they will make Rwanda disappear as well. Well, I cannot wish for such a thing. I cannot desire it. But if it happens – if I fail to stop it – I believe they will find us ready,” Kagame warned.
The president’s warning follows a string of diplomatic efforts, including the Washington Agreement and regular evaluation meetings, that have yet to yield tangible results in resolving the crisis. The Doha Process, mediated by Qatar, has also struggled to bridge the gap between Kinshasa and the M23 rebels, further complicating peace efforts. The situation has been exacerbated by shifting priorities in the Middle East, which have diverted attention away from the Great Lakes region and slowed down mediation efforts.
Despite repeated calls from national, regional, and international actors for all parties to honor their commitments under various peace initiatives, the divide between diplomatic progress and ground realities remains stark. Each side continues to interpret the agreements in ways that suit their interests, rendering their implementation increasingly uncertain.
