The DRC's government spokesman and Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya urged the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda for its alleged role in fueling the M23 rebel offensive in the east of the central African country.
"Sanctions are the minimum ... in a context where there has been a deliberate violation of international law, in a context of indiscriminate killing," Muyaya told a Western media outlet.
While foreign countries and international blocs strongly condemned Rwanda's purported involvement in the fighting in the Goma city of the North Kivu province, the official stated that condemnations are insufficient.
"A strong decision [must be taken] not only to condemn, but to stop what Rwanda is doing, because it is not acceptable if you want to preserve peace in Africa and in our region," the minister added.
He emphasized that sanctions are crucial to encouraging meaningful engagement from Rwanda in any negotiations and that the DRC will continue to pursue both diplomatic and military options to protect its citizens.
Last Monday, Muyaya said that the Rwandan army is present in Goma, which is now besieged by the M23 rebel group, and later accused the neighboring country of sending about 10,000 troops to the DRC's eastern part.
On Monday, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said in an interview that he did not know whether his country's troops were in the DRC.