According to the African Intelligence story,The Europeans have not reached an agreement concerning the release of new financial aid to the Rwandan army for its intervention in Cabo Delgado. At the same time, Brussels is considering new sanctions against the Kigali regime for its support of the M23 rebellion.
🔥🔥🔥 Several topics concerning Rwanda were on the agenda at the meeting of the Working Group on Africa (COAFR), on July 3, a body of the European Council. Members notably examined Kigali's request for the European Union (UE) to continue financing the Rwandan military effort in the Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.
➡️➡️ This request aimed to release a second tranche of 20 million euros, via the European Peace Facility (FEP) , in favor of the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF), deployed since July 2021 to combat the jihadist insurgency in northern Mozambique.
Actively supported by Portugal and France, this new budgetary aid – a first tranche of 20 million euros was released in 2023 – is appreciated differently among the Member States. Some countries, such as the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden, have expressed strong reluctance to grant this aid without compensation.
🔥🔥🔥 Unanimity required
The diplomats of these countries notably recalled the role of the Rwandan regime of Paul Kagame in the M23 rebellion in the east of the DRC. Kigali's support was highlighted in the latest UN panel of experts report, which documented the massive presence of RDF elements alongside the rebels.
➡️➡️➡️ Usually more conciliatory towards Rwanda, the EU now seems to recognize the impossibility of dissociating the Eastern Congolese issue from that of Cabo Delgado. The COAFR, whose unanimity is required to release the aid of 20 million euros, therefore preferred to postpone its examination indefinitely, which could take place after the summer.
🔥🔥 Members also agreed on the need to expand EU sanctions against Rwandan officials involved in the war started by the M23. So far, only one RDF officer, Captain Jean-Pierre Niragire, known as Gasasira, appears on the list of people targeted by the sanctions – he was included there in July 2023. It remains for the Europeans to define the names likely to be added
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