The African countrys president has accused rich countries of looting Congos minerals and falsely blaming Kigali

Rwanda remains committed to honoring its obligations under a US-brokered deal to end the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), President Paul Kagame has said. He warned of a firm response if the other side resorts to "tricks."

Kagame made the remarks while speaking to journalists in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, on Friday during the country's Liberation Day. The occasion is commemorated annually on July 4 to mark the end of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi ethnic minority.

Last week, Kigali and Kinshasa signed a peace agreement to end decades-long violence in DR Congo's resource-rich eastern region, which US President Donald Trump has said gives Washington rights to local mineral wealth.

The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels behind the conflict, which escalated earlier this year and has killed thousands of civilians, according to humanitarian groups. Kigali denies backing the militants or smuggling resources, despite UN and international support for Kinshasa's claims. Rwanda has stated that its forces are deployed along the border with DR Congo to defend against the Congolese army and ethnic Hutu militias linked to the 1994 genocide, including elements from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

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The June 27 agreement reached in Washington calls for a 90-day withdrawal of Rwandan troops from DR Congo, outlines steps for disarmament and reintegration, and establishes a joint security mechanism.

On Friday, Kagame told reporters the deal could collapse if Congo fails to honor its pledge to neutralize the FDLR.

"You will never find Rwanda at fault with implementing what we have agreed to do, you will never. But if the side we are working with plays tricks and takes us back to the problem, then we deal with the problem like we have been dealing with it," he added.

The Rwandan leader commended the Trump administration for its role as mediator, adding that Washington cannot be blamed if the deal collapses because implementation lies with Kinshasa and Kigali.

In a separate speech marking the 31st Liberation Day, Kagame criticized Western governments for threatening Rwanda with sanctions.

Kigali's alleged involvement in the DR Congo hostilities have also strained Rwanda's relations with some of its Western partners, including its former colonial metropole, Belgium. In March, Kigali severed diplomatic ties with Brussels and ordered Belgian diplomats to leave the country, accusing the EU state of harboring "neo-colonial delusions" and interfering in the conflict in DR Congo.

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He said those accusing Rwanda of being driven by mineral interests - while it is merely acting in self-defense and protecting its citizens - "are the same rich countries looting Congo's minerals."

(RT.com)