John AdoyiRwandan President Paul Kagame delivered a fiery rebuke to Western nations threatening sanctions over Rwanda’s alleged ties to the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), telling them to “go to hell” during a speech marking the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Speaking at a memorial service on Tuesday for the nearly one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus killed in the 100-day genocide, Kagame struck a defiant tone, declaring that Rwanda would no longer be intimidated by foreign powers.
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“If anyone comes around and says we are going to sanction you—go to hell. Just go to hell,” Kagame said to applause. “You have your own issues to deal with. Go and deal with your own issues. Leave me to mine. This is the spirit Rwandans must have in their daily lives.”
The M23 rebel group, which Rwanda denies directly supporting, has been engaged in intense fighting in eastern DRC, particularly around the mineral-rich city of Goma and Bukavu. The conflict has displaced millions and left at least 7,000 dead. Western nations accuse Rwanda of backing the rebels—a claim Kigali rejects, insisting it is acting in self-defense against security threats from armed groups in the DRC.
In response, the European Union sanctioned three senior Rwandan military officials and the head of Rwanda’s state mining agency for alleged ties to M23. The United States, United Kingdom, and Germany have also threaten sanctions.
Tensions escalated further after Rwanda severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing it of lobbying other nations to impose sanctions. Kagame dismissed the pressure, asserting that Rwanda would not bow to external demands.
“We have to live our lives, we have to live the way we want,” he declared. “Rwandans don’t owe your life to anybody else… Don’t allow anybody to dictate to you how you should live your life.”
Despite regional talks to end the violence in eastern DRC, no breakthrough has been achieved. Kagame’s remarks signal a hardening stance as Rwanda faces increasing isolation from Western allies.
