Türkiye Offers Support in Rwanda-DRC Dispute: Erdogan
Türkiye, led by President Erdogan, is prepared to assist in resolving the dispute between Rwanda and the DRC, emphasizing the importance of regional stability. Erdogan and Rwandan President Kagame’s meeting highlighted significant bilateral investments and ongoing cooperation across various sectors. Both leaders acknowledged Rwanda’s role in promoting peace in East Africa and expressed mutual interest in enhancing economic ties and collaboration.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye has expressed his country’s readiness to assist in resolving the ongoing dispute between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) if both nations express a desire for such support. Speaking alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame during a press conference in Ankara, Erdogan emphasized the importance of addressing this conflict for the peace and stability of the Great Lakes Region.
Erdogan mentioned the ongoing insurgency by the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo, which has been accusing Rwanda of providing support to the rebels—a claim that the Rwandan government disputes. He highlighted Türkiye’s commitment to African solutions for African problems and praised Rwanda’s initiatives toward regional stability and security.
The meeting marked a significant milestone in enhancing bilateral relations, highlighted by the mutual establishment of embassies in the early 2010s. President Kagame’s visit to Türkiye underscored the growing cooperation, with Erdogan noting that investments between the two countries nearly reached $500 million.
Erdogan acknowledged Turkish companies’ pivotal role in Rwanda’s trade landscape and expressed optimism about increasing future investments. He also commended Rwanda’s efforts to combat the FETO terrorist organization, which has targeted Türkiye since a failed coup attempt in 2016.
President Kagame echoed Erdogan’s sentiments regarding deeper collaboration, asserting that recent agreements signify a shared vision for enhanced cooperation. He commended Türkiye’s investments in infrastructure and encouraged the influx of more Turkish businesses into Rwanda.
Kagame praised Türkiye’s mediatory role in different regional disputes, specifically acknowledging previous efforts in negotiating the Ankara Agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia. He stressed the importance of African countries managing their own stability, using Türkiye’s successful recovery from recent earthquakes as a learning example for resilience.
Türkiye has taken a proactive role in international diplomacy, particularly within the African continent. The conflict between Rwanda and the DRC has escalated due to allegations of Rwandan support for the M23 rebels, further complicating regional stability. President Erdogan’s offer for mediation follows Türkiye’s commitment to facilitating peace and stability in ongoing African disputes, underlining the importance of local solutions. The strengthening relationship between Türkiye and Rwanda, specifically since the establishment of embassies, has laid the groundwork for higher investment and collaborative projects.
In conclusion, President Erdogan’s statements convey Türkiye’s readiness to support peace initiatives between Rwanda and the DRC, emphasizing mutual cooperation and regional stability. Both leaders are committed to deepening their economic ties and enhancing bilateral collaboration. Rwanda’s strategic importance in promoting stability and development in Africa continues to drive its partnership with Türkiye, particularly in investment and infrastructure. The ongoing discussions reveal a shared vision for addressing regional issues through direct collaboration, signifying a significant step forward for both nations.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
