Brig. Gen. Rwivanga noted that military power alone is insufficient to tackle conflicts fueled by ethnic tensions and insecurity. He stressed that successful military operations require three critical components: equipment, troop morale, and tactical experience advantages held by armed rebel groups in the region.

 He further called on regional organizations such as the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to coordinate efforts and prioritize political solutions.

“You cannot solve a political problem using brute force. If you choose to rely solely on military power, you must also be prepared for a type of warfare that requires expertise in forested combat. Those you face daily have experience fighting in the bush; you do not,” Brig. Gen. Rwivanga said.

Brig. Gen. Rwivanga explained that the Congolese government deployed over 70,000 soldiers, including more than 50,000 from Wazalendo armed groups and 25,000 commandos, aiming to eliminate the M23 rebel movement. However, after failing, the government blamed alleged external supporters of M23, demonstrating that military force alone cannot resolve complex political problems.

He highlighted that the Congolese government’s weaknesses stemmed from attempting to address ethnic and political issues by targeting specific armed groups rather than pursuing genuine political dialogue and reconciliation. Brig. Gen. Rwivanga emphasized that resolving regional security challenges requires coordination among governments, international organizations, and political actors.

On the same day, Rwanda joined the world in marking the International Day of Democracy, observed annually on September 15. The event, organized by Never Again Rwanda, brought together politicians, youth, and representatives of international organizations to discuss the state of democracy in the region and strategies for addressing insecurity and development challenges.

Brig. Gen. Rwivanga’s remarks underline that sustainable peace and security in the region depend on good governance, political dialogue, and unity rather than the mere use of force. Rwanda’s experience demonstrates that confronting division and ethnic conflict directly through political and moral leadership is essential for achieving long-term stability and development.