The Government of Rwanda has summoned the UK High Commissioner in Kigali to protest what it calls “false, insulting, and dangerous” remarks made by Lord Collins of Highbury, the UK Minister for Africa, during a parliamentary session in the House of Lords on 26 February 2025.
Lord Collins, while responding to a question about an attack on a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists, claimed that Rwanda’s Foreign Minister had “actively denied and refuted” allegations linking Rwanda to the group during their meeting in Geneva.
In a strongly worded statement, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dismissed the UK Minister’s response as factually incorrect. It emphasized that the ADF was never discussed in the Geneva meeting and rejected any suggestion that Rwanda has ties to the terrorist organization, which is affiliated with ISIS/Daesh and operates far from Rwandan borders.
“It is wrong and insulting to suggest that Rwanda is linked to this terrorist organization, especially given the fact that Rwanda is actively engaged in combating similar extremist groups alongside Mozambican forces in Cabo Delgado,” the statement read.
The Rwandan government also condemned the remarks as “dangerous and irresponsible,” warning that they mislead the public, embolden propaganda from the DRC, and undermine ongoing African-led peace efforts in the region.
While Lord Collins has privately acknowledged his mistake in a message to Rwanda’s Foreign Minister and intends to issue a letter correcting the record in the House of Lords, Kigali insists this is insufficient. Rwanda has formally requested the UK Government to issue a public correction and an official apology.
The diplomatic spat comes amid heightened tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, with Kinshasa frequently accusing Kigali of involvement in its internal conflicts—claims that Rwanda has consistently denied. The UK has not yet issued an official response to Rwanda’s demands.
