Paul Kagame,  President of  The Republic of Rwanda    (Photo Credit: World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell)

By  Gary  Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Robert Menendez, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said this week he favors putting on hold all security aid to The Republic of Rwanda over the government’s human rights record and its role in the conflict in the  DR Congo.  Reuters reported that Sen. Menedez sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken,  in which he called for a “comprehensive review” of U.S. policy towards Rwanda. Menendez said he would begin by placing a hold on several million dollars in support for Rwandan peacekeepers participating in U.N. missions, according to Reuters.  A hold is a Senate procedure that prevents a motion from reaching the floor for a vote.  Rwandan President Kagame  has been criticized for his treatment of opponents at home and abroad and gross human rights abuses.  Kagame has managed to charm many western leaders including former U.S. President Bill Clinton,  and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as UK PM Boris Johnson.   The DR Congo and its president, Felix Tshisekedi, accuse Rwanda of supporting M23, the main rebel group battling the Congolese army in eastern DRC.  The M23 rebel group began a major offensive in Congo’s eastern borderlands with Rwanda at the end of March.  President Kagame steadfastly denies that Rwanda supports M23 rebels. 

The United States sent more than $147 million in foreign assistance to Rwanda in 2021, making it Rwanda’s largest bilateral donor.  Rwanda and the DRC  are dangerously on the brink of war amid the resurgence of violence by the notorious M23 rebel faction.