Rwanda denies M23 child soldier claims as ‘ludicrous’

Rwanda has strongly rejected allegations that it is helping train child soldiers for rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Speaking to the BBC, Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo described such claims as “ludicrous”.

The US has recently withdrawn military aid to Rwanda, saying it is backing the M23 rebels, believed to recruit minors.

Reports say the M23 rebellion has forced tens of thousands from their homes in the eastern DR Congo.

“The idea that Rwanda is associated with child soldiers is just ludicrous,” Ms Mushikiwabo told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

“We have worked with a number of UN agencies… to basically make sure that children don’t belong in the army”.

The US has had close military ties with Rwanda since President Paul Kagame’s Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) came to power after the end of the 1994 genocide.

Rwanda and Uganda  have  been accused of backing the M23 rebels,  something that both countries vehemently deny,

The Minister of Foreign affairs says this during the time when DRC and M23  representatives are discussing ways and mechanisms  to handle the DRC crisis throughout which Congolese fled their nation and more others lost their lives.

BBC News 

UM– USEKE.RW