Many Congolese see the rebel advance as an invasion of their country by a foreign power in an attempt to seize land and Congo’s valuable rare minerals.
Türkiye has expressed its readiness “to provide every kind of support” for the settlement of the conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, after hosting Rwanda’s Paul Kagame on a State visit on Thursday, reiterated the need for the warring parties to find a peaceful resolution.
“We appreciate Rwanda’s contributions to the establishment of stability and security in the East Africa and Great Lakes Region. We hope that the conflict with the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be resolved through peaceful means,” Erdoğan said.
“We sincerely support the direct negotiations mediated by Angola. If both of the sides wish so, Türkiye stands ready to provide every kind of support for the settlement of this issue, which would contribute to stability and peace in the Great Lakes Region.”
Their meeting agenda covered trade, investments, energy, education, culture, defence and research and development.
“Turkish companies account for 13 percent of the total foreign investment in Rwanda. It is promising for the future of our relations that our country ranks among the top countries in Rwanda’s foreign trade. We have reached an agreement with Mr President for our companies to boost their investments in Rwanda and thus to contribute to its development goals,” the Turkish leader said.
He pledged to increase education investments in Rwanda by deepening the country’s scholarship programme for Rwandan students. Türkiye has so far awarded scholarships to 257 Rwandan students.
A few years ago, out of pressure from the Turkish government, Rwanda closed schools and other establishments that were linked to dissident cleric, the late Fethullah Gulen, before expelling people associated with the influential Turk, who had fallen out with Erdogan over allegations of fomenting a coup.
“Rwanda is one of the countries to have extended support to our fight against Fetullah,” Erdogan said.