21 hours Ago By [email protected] (Dave Burke)
David Lammy has warned Rwanda that its warmongering will have "consequences". The Foreign Secretary has told Rwandan President Paul Kagame that his actions risk fuelling war in the region. Rwanda is accused of supporting the M23 militia group, which has been linked to war crimes in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Mr Lammy described the involvement of Rwandan troops as a "blatant breach of the UN Charter which risks spiralling into a regional conflict". M23 militants have captured two cities - Goma and Bukavu - in eastern DRC, and appear to be advancing further. The escalating crisis comes as new legislation seeks to wipe out Rishi Sunak's controversial Safety of Rwanda Act.
The Tories forced through a law declaring Rwanda was forever a safe country despite warnings that it was on the brink of conflict with the DRC. M23 militants are accused of recruiting child soldiers and carrying out killings and rapes of civilians . Last year The Mirror revealed that the Tories secretly planned a strategy for war breaking out even as they voted the central African nation was a safe place to send asylum seekers.
Mr Kagame is claimed to be furnishing M23 with arms as well as backing from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). In a speech to G20 foreign ministers, Mr Lammy said: "I’ve called out the Rwandan Defence Force operations in the eastern DRC as a blatant breach of the UN Charter which risks spiralling into a regional conflict, and that’s why I will again make clear to President Kagame, that further breaches of DRC’s sovereignty will have consequences." The US Government has announced sanctions against Rwandan officials accused of fuelling the conflict.
It said James Kabarebe, a former army chief, has played a central role in supporting M23. Bradley Smith, acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said the action "underscores our intent to hold accountable key officials and leaders" who are "enabling the RDF and M23's destabilizing activities". The advance into DRC has seen intense fighting, with bodies left lying on the street and credible allegations of widespread war crimes.
Kagame denies support for the military group in spite of growing evidence of Rwandan government involvement. Before the general election , the Tories repeatedly refused to say whether Rwanda was responsible for war crimes in DRC. That was despite Foreign Office officials drawning up memos saying the Government must call for the protection of civilians if the conflict escalated.
The Safety of Rwanda Act - which was branded "dangerous" by critics - will be repealed under Labour's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. It was passed in desperation by Mr Sunak in a bid to get the controversial deportation plan passsed. The UK handed over £700million to Rwanda, with further payments promised.
However just four asylum seekers were sent - after volunteering. In September The Mirror revealed former Home Secretary James Cleverly plotted a £30million raid on public finances to offer "sweeteners" to people who might be sent there ..
