Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, said “fast-changing realities, including economic shocks, and the legitimate aspirations of regions long denied a voice, compel us to quickly adapt to make the UN fit-for-purpose.”  Thus, reform is unavoidable, especially of the Security Council, which should accommodate permanent membership of 1.2 billion-strong Africa, where most conflicts on the organ’s agenda happen.  Deriding the politicization of development cooperation “used by some development partners for partisan political reasons and interests”, he said the moment has come to transit from aid to trade so that developing countries can independently enjoy a win-win relationship.

He observed that while the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is not new, the lesson for the Great Lakes region is urgent and resolving it is in everyone’s best interest.  Despite the mediation by the United States and Qatar and the consequent peace agreement between his country and the Democratic Republic of Congo, peace has moved slowly so that the “the situation on the ground remains deeply troubling” as that country has renewed its militarization against civilian populations, particularly the Banyamulenge and other Congolese Tutsi.  He called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to implement the Washington Peace Agreement in good faith.

Grateful to the United Nations for establishing 7 April yearly as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi as well as to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the Residual Mechanism for prosecuting genocide perpetrators, he expressed concern over the persistence of genocide ideology and related crimes in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and called on the international community “to not turn a blind eye, once more” on the developments.  “Genocide follows a pattern.  It follows clear stages.  It is not an umbrella term; it is defined by international law,” he said.