The report carries the statement of the Canadian Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, and of Export Promotion, Mary Ng, who strongly condemned the advance of the March 23 Movement (M23), with Kigali’s help.

Ottawa decided to suspend the granting of permits for the export of controlled goods and technologies to Rwanda, to halt new trade initiatives between the two governments and to restrict its support for private companies doing business with the African country.

They also said that Canadian participation in international events organized by Kigali would be re-evaluated.

The statement said that the seizure of several villages and towns in eastern DRC by the M23 is a flagrant violation of Congolese sovereignty and the United Nations Charter, and therefore rejected the presence of the Rwandan Defense Forces in that territory.

They also expressed concern about attacks against civilians, displaced persons, humanitarian players and UN and regional peace forces, as well as reports of sexual violence related to the conflict directed against women and girls.

Canada also informed that it will release a package of 15 million Canadian dollars for humanitarian aid to support the affected populations.

On February 23, the European Union (EU) announced the suspension of defense consultations with Rwanda, due to the situation in eastern Congo.

On that occasion, the European blockade also announced a revision of the memorandum of understanding on strategic raw materials.

The European Parliament had earlier adopted a resolution calling for stronger measures against Kigali, among which the MEPs recommended the immediate suspension of the agreement.

The United States, for its part, applied sanctions against the Rwandan Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe, and the civilian spokesman of the M23, Lawrence Kanyuka, for their support in the occupation of several cities in eastern Congo, where thousands of people were killed and others wounded.

The United Kingdom also promised sanctions against Kigali, in case the presence of its army on DRC land persists, in disobedience of the UN Security Council resolution.

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