Musings From Abroad

French presidential hopeful, Melenchon accuses Rwanda of ‘expansionist aims’ in DR Congo

Published

1 year ago

October 28, 2023

French hard-left leader, Jean-Luc Melenchon has accused Rwanda of sponsoring crisis in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo in what he described as Kigali’s “expansionist aims.”

Melenchon expressed hope for a return to a ceasefire and expectations that Rwanda “abandons the expansionist aims that we have heard Rwandan President Paul Kagame declare” in reference to the M23 rebel movement, which he said was “articulated by neighbouring Rwanda” and reflected a “deliberate desire to disrupt… the functioning of democracy in the Congo” and challenge its “sovereignty.”

The allegation comes as fighting flared between rebels and pro-government armed groups. Melenchon said these after a meeting with DRC President, Felix Tshisekedi on Friday.

“I wanted to reaffirm my fraternity with the Congolese people, at a time when they are facing a challenge that is totally imported”, he said.

It was time for “condemnation of actions disrupting the democratic life of this country, since the resumption of military activities… is taking place at a time when the DRC is organising its presidential elections”.

Melenchon served as a representative for Bouches-du-Rhône’s 4th constituency in the National Assembly from 2017 to 2022. He also led the La France Insoumise group from 2017 to 2021 during his time in parliament. Mélenchon has run in three separate presidential contests for France: in 2012, in 2017, and in 2022, where he finished a strong third.

Rwanda has been consistently accused of supporting the armed group, leading to diplomatic tension between the East African neighbours. According to a 2022 report by Human Rights Watch, resurgent M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, launched their biggest offensive against state forces in a decade, seizing portions of territory in North Kivu, which worsened the dire humanitarian situation in the region.

Rwanda has also been accused by independent UN experts, Kinshasa, Paris, and Washington of supporting the Tutsi-led M23 rebel group, which since 2021, has taken over large areas of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Related Topics:Congo DR Featured Jean-Luc Melenchon Rwanda

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Musings From Abroad

Brazilian meatpacker JBS invests $2.5 billion in Nigeria, builds six facilities

Published

6 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Brazilian meatpacker JBS says it has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government for a $2.5 billion investment plan that will include the construction of six new plants in the African nation.

Three of the plants would deal in poultry, two in beef, and one in pork, according to a statement from JBS.

In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, JBS stated that it would develop a five-year investment plan in Nigeria, which would include budget estimates, feasibility studies, and an action plan for the development of the local supply chain.

The Nigerian government would then guarantee the sanitary, regulatory, and economic conditions required for the project’s viability, JBS continued.

Musings From Abroad

China’s Xi meets with Morocco’s Crown Prince

Published

6 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s official media reports that Chinese President, Xi Jinping, visited Morocco briefly on Thursday.

According to Morocco’s MAP, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed Xi in Casablanca. The visit demonstrated the close ties of camaraderie, collaboration, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, it said.

China’s official broadcaster, CCTV, said that Xi and Hassan had a “cordial conversation” at the airport after being received by the Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

After attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, Xi paid the visit.

In recent years, China has increased its investments in Morocco’s rail and infrastructure. Morocco is desirable for Chinese electric car battery manufacturers because of its proximity to Europe, free trade agreements with important EU and US markets, and an established automotive sector.

Morocco was chosen by Chinese EV battery company Gotion High Tech in June to establish Africa’s first gigafactory, which will cost $1.3 billion in total.