Macron Says Dialogue, Not Sanctions, Is the Right Way to Resolve the Rwanda-DRC Crisis

The Africa Forward Summit 2026 has concluded in Nairobi, Kenya, after two days of discussions that brought together more than 30 African heads of state, French President Emmanuel Macron, leaders of international financial institutions, investors, and young people. The talks covered cooperation between Africa and France in areas including the economy, technology, and peace.

During a press conference held on the sidelines of the summit, President Macron was asked why France and the European Union have not followed the United States in imposing sanctions on Rwanda and some of its senior military officials over the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In response, Macron said that what matters most right now is not sanctions, but rather supporting dialogue among all parties involved in the conflict. He stated: “We support continuing dialogue between all concerned parties — that is our clear and straightforward position. We must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC, meaning all foreign forces on Congolese soil must withdraw. And it is not only Rwandan forces that are present there.”

He went on to say that there is also a need to restart political talks between the Congolese government and the M23 armed group — negotiations that were previously facilitated by Angola — as well as to address the FDLR rebel group, which has long been cited as one of the root causes of instability in the region. He said: “That is why I believe what matters most right now is relaunching concrete dialogue. That is what we are encouraging both presidents to do. We must also bring all mediators back together so that a shared plan based on these key points can be agreed upon.”

President Macron also warned that isolating Rwanda through sanctions could make dialogue even harder to achieve. He said: “I think that if everyone rushes to isolate Rwanda the way the United States has done, it will become very difficult to convince Rwanda to pursue a cooperative policy.” He added that talks between Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi should also involve neighboring countries, including Uganda and Burundi.

These remarks come as Rwanda continues to maintain that the sanctions imposed on some of its senior military figures have no real impact on its security. In his speech at the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, President Paul Kagame said that no sanction whatsoever can diminish the standing of Rwanda’s Defence Forces, stressing that the country has the right to protect its security whenever it is threatened.

Many countries continue to closely follow the situation in eastern DRC, with the international community consistently calling on all parties to engage in dialogue and work together toward a lasting solution to the long-running instability in the region.