President Kagame Addresses Land Compensation Issues and Clarifies Rwanda’s Role in M23 Conflict

In a press conference held on January 9, 2025, President Paul Kagame addressed two critical issues facing Rwanda and the region: land compensation for displaced citizens and the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Land Compensation and the Challenges of Relocation
One of the key topics discussed by President Kagame was the issue of compensation for citizens displaced due to development projects or other public interests. He acknowledged that while citizens are sometimes relocated for the greater good, delays and lack of proper compensation remain a concern.

"The problem we face with land compensation often stems from mistakes made during the relocation process," said President Kagame. He explained that some citizens have been displaced without proper adherence to laws and regulations, and this results in delays in compensation.
The President further emphasized the need for a more efficient system to address this issue.

"When people are displaced for public interest, they should be compensated fairly and promptly. If relocation is necessary, the citizens involved must receive their compensation on time to avoid financial losses."

Kagame also highlighted that the delays are sometimes linked to individuals who determine the value of their land, which can lead to disagreements. "Some people try to inflate the value of their land, and this is where the problems start. We need a system that ensures both the government and citizens are treated fairly."

He reiterated that local authorities who make mistakes in approving land transactions should be held accountable, but at the same time, the rightful owners should be compensated fairly. The President added that proper procedures need to be followed, and corrective actions should be taken to avoid further complications.

Rwanda and the M23 Conflict: A Call for Truth
In a related matter, President Kagame also addressed the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, specifically the involvement of the M23 rebel group. He clarified that the M23 fighters, who have been engaged in battles with DRC government forces, did not originate from Rwanda, as some have claimed.

According to Kagame, the M23 fighters are actually Congolese citizens who had fled to neighboring countries due to persecution and discrimination.

"The M23 is made up of Congolese people who have been fighting for their rights," he said. "They are not foreigners. They have been displaced by the ongoing ethnic conflict in their home country and have taken up arms to defend their community."

Kagame noted that despite efforts from both Rwanda and Uganda to help mediate the crisis, the DRC government continues to point fingers at Rwanda without acknowledging the root causes of the conflict. The President questioned why the international community and the DRC’s leadership continue to label the M23 as foreign fighters, while the reality is that they are Congolese citizens with a legitimate cause.

"The M23 fighters are not foreign nationals, and the people in the region are well aware of this. The idea that these fighters are attacking the sovereignty of DRC is misleading," President Kagame stated.

He also pointed out that Rwanda has no interest in creating or exacerbating conflicts in the region. Instead, Rwanda has been a key player in hosting refugees and calling for peace. "If Rwanda were not involved, the problems in the DRC would still exist. The crisis in eastern DRC is not about Rwanda, but about the internal struggles within the DRC itself," Kagame remarked.

Addressing FDLR and Regional Stability
President Kagame did not shy away from addressing the presence of other armed groups in the region, particularly the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), which continues to operate in the DRC. He expressed his frustration with the international community’s failure to deal with the FDLR, despite its long-standing presence in the region.

"FDLR has been a destabilizing force in the region for over 30 years, and it is high time that the issue is addressed properly," he said. "The international community has done little to resolve this issue, and this continues to threaten the peace and security of the entire Great Lakes region."

Kagame also highlighted the inconsistency in how countries are allowed to act against different armed groups. While Uganda has been allowed to send troops into the DRC to fight the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces), Rwanda’s request to help neutralize the FDLR has been rejected by the DRC government.

"The solution to these challenges does not lie in finger-pointing or blaming Rwanda. It lies in addressing the root causes of instability in the DRC and holding the groups responsible for perpetuating violence accountable," said President Kagame.

As the press conference concluded, President Kagame reiterated his call for peace and stability in the region. He emphasized that a long-term solution can only be reached when all parties acknowledge the truth and work together to address the underlying causes of conflict.

"The issues in eastern DRC are complex, but they can be resolved. What is needed is genuine dialogue, transparency, and a commitment to peace," he concluded.