Rwanda’s ambassador to the United Nations, Rwamucyo Ernest, has responded to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s accusations of looting precious stones in North Kivu province, saying that they are baseless accusations, and that this country has them too.

Officials in the DRC have agreed on different occasions to accuse Rwanda of helping the armed group M23 to see how it loots precious metals including Gold and Coltan; they believe it has none.

These allegations were repeated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DRC, Thérèse Wagner Kayikwamba, when she explained to the United Nations Security Council the state of security in the Eastern part of the DRC.

Ambassador Rwamucyo was given the opportunity, explaining that the DRC and Rwanda have the same structure, so that precious stones are found in the same country, and in other places.

He said, “The problem of minerals and the economy of the DRC is said to be the reason for this war. These mining operations are intended to hide the real problem and its root cause from the international community. Rwanda and the DRC are sitting on the same rock and all the precious stones that belong to them, can also be found in Rwanda.”

The diplomat explained that the precious stones in the 3T group (Tin, Tungsten and Tantalum) and Gold are found in areas of the DRC close to the border, and that there is no doubt in Rwanda as well.

He just announced that there are special gems in the RDC regions far from the border such as Diamond found in Mbuji Mayi in Kasai-Oriental province, and Cuivre found in Haut-Katanga.

He said, “Other precious stones such as Diamond are found in Mbuji Mayi and Cuivre in Katanga, which are thousands of kilometers away in the DRC from the border of Rwanda.”

Ambassador Rwamucyo explained that mining in Rwanda started in the 1930s when the Belgians ruled it, and that since then this sector has continued to develop.

He said, “The history of mining in Rwanda begins in the 1930s when the Belgians started mining in Rwanda. The mining industry has continued to grow, driven by advanced technology and investment.”

He pointed out that illegal mining continues in the DRC, advising the government of the country to build infrastructure including roads, and establish regulations for its business. He emphasized that in order to achieve this, security is needed.

Ambassador Rwamucyo requested that in order for security to be achieved in Eastern DRC, there is no need for military force, but for dialogue through the political process, which connects the government and other people of the DRC who want rights in their country.