Nduhungirehe Criticizes Journalist Over Interview on Rwanda

Kigali, 17 February 2026 - Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, has criticized what he described as bias in an interview conducted by a France 24 journalist with Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States for African Affairs. Speaking on February 17, 2026, Nduhungirehe reacted to an interview published on social media in which Marc Perelman of France 24 questioned Boulos on issues concerning Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “You will remember me to tell you how I feel when there is an impartial interview by a France 24 journalist. I am not interested in the way journalists or evaluators try to present themselves who always think about Rwanda,” Nduhungirehe said. Debate Over the Washington Peace Agreement The remarks come amid renewed debate over the Washington peace agreement signed on December 4, 2025, between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo with facilitation from the United States. The accord reinforced a previous agreement reached on June 27, 2025, but tensions have persisted since its signing. In the February 16 interview, Perelman asked Boulos whether the agreement had failed to deliver tangible results. Boulos responded that the deal marked the beginning of a longer process toward regional stability. “From the beginning, we said that the Washington peace agreement is not the end but the beginning. Eventually, there will be complete peace and security in the region. But that is a journey that will take time,” Boulos said. He added that the agreement’s strength lies in its multi-track approach to addressing different aspects of the conflict. According to Boulos, the Washington accord-focused specifically on relations between Rwanda and the DRC-will be complemented by the Doha process, which seeks to facilitate dialogue between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebellion, with backing from the United States and the African Union. Tensions After Uvira’s Capture The peace deal came under strain after AFC/M23 fighters captured the city of Uvira on December 9, 2025. Following the takeover, the Congolese government accused Rwanda of violating the Washington agreement and called on Washington to impose sanctions. When asked whether the United States still had confidence in President Paul Kagame, Boulos replied, “We believe we do. We are talking.” Allegations of Selective Questioning Rwandan officials argue that the interview sought to portray Rwanda as the primary source of instability in eastern DRC, and that the journalist pressed Boulos on potential sanctions against Kigali while refraining from addressing other contentious issues. Among them is the presence of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), an armed group operating in eastern DRC. The Congolese government has maintained that dismantling the group is complicated because many of its fighters are allegedly in areas controlled by AFC/M23. However, Minister Nduhungirehe recently reiterated Rwanda’s position that numerous FDLR fighters have been integrated into the Congolese army and are operating in government-controlled zones. The latest exchange highlights the ongoing diplomatic friction surrounding implementation of the Washington peace agreement, as regional and international actors continue efforts to stabilize eastern DRC.

Faits rapportés

Kigali, 17 February 2026 - Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, has criticized what he described as bias in an interview conducted by a France 24 journalist with Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States for African Affairs. Speaking on February 17, 2026, Nduhungirehe reacted to an interview published on social media in which Marc Perelman of France 24 questioned Boulos on issues concerning Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “You will remember me to tell you how I feel when there is an impartial interview by a France 24 journalist. I am not interested in the way journalists or evaluators try to present themselves who always think about Rwanda,” Nduhungirehe said. Debate Over the Washington Peace Agreement The remarks come amid renewed debate over the Washington peace agreement signed on December 4, 2025, between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo with facilitation from the United States. The accord reinforced a previous agreement reached on June 27, 2025, but tensions have persisted since its signing. In the February 16 interview, Perelman asked Boulos whether the agreement had failed to deliver tangible results. Boulos responded that the deal marked the beginning of a longer process toward regional stability. “From the beginning, we said that the Washington peace agreement is not the end but the beginning. Eventually, there will be complete peace and security in the region. But that is a journey that will take time,” Boulos said. He added that the agreement’s strength lies in its multi-track approach to addressing different aspects of the conflict. According to Boulos, the Washington accord-focused specifically on relations between Rwanda and the DRC-will be complemented by the Doha process, which seeks to facilitate dialogue between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebellion, with backing from the United States and the African Union. Tensions After Uvira’s Capture The peace deal came under strain after AFC/M23 fighters captured the city of Uvira on December 9, 2025. Following the takeover, the Congolese government accused Rwanda of violating the Washington agreement and called on Washington to impose sanctions. When asked whether the United States still had confidence in President Paul Kagame, Boulos replied, “We believe we do. We are talking.” Allegations of Selective Questioning Rwandan officials argue that the interview sought to portray Rwanda as the primary source of instability in eastern DRC, and that the journalist pressed Boulos on potential sanctions against Kigali while refraining from addressing other contentious issues. Among them is the presence of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), an armed group operating in eastern DRC. The Congolese government has maintained that dismantling the group is complicated because many of its fighters are allegedly in areas controlled by AFC/M23. However, Minister Nduhungirehe recently reiterated Rwanda’s position that numerous FDLR fighters have been integrated into the Congolese army and are operating in government-controlled zones. The latest exchange highlights the ongoing diplomatic friction surrounding implementation of the Washington peace agreement, as regional and international actors continue efforts to stabilize eastern DRC.