The United States on Friday accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, escalating regional tensions despite a recent US-brokered peace deal. The accusation comes after M23 fighters captured the city of Uvira, gaining control of the border with Burundi and disrupting military support lines to Kinshasa.
Rwanda Accusations and Regional Instability
US Ambassador Mike Waltz told a UN Security Council meeting that Rwanda is leading the region toward more instability and war, rather than progressing toward peace. The United States expressed being “deeply concerned and increasingly disappointed” by the renewed violence and denounced the extent of Rwanda’s involvement in eastern DRC.
Waltz stated that the Rwandan defense forces have provided materiel, logistics, and training support to M23, and have also fought alongside the group in DRC with an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 troops, with potential for reinforcements. Rwandan firepower includes surface-to-air missiles, drones, and artillery, according to the ambassador.
M23 launched its current offensive this month in South Kivu province, capturing the major cities of Goma and Bukavu in January and February. The capture of Uvira on Wednesday gave the group control of the land border between the DRC and Burundi.
UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix warned that the offensive “has revived the specter of a regional conflagration with incalculable consequences,” and poses a serious risk of fragmentation of the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly its eastern part.
Burundi Accusations and Rwandan Denial
Burundi accused Rwanda of bombing its territory on Friday, with its ambassador, Zephyrin Maniratanga, telling the council it “reserves the right to use self-defense.” He warned that continued attacks could lead to escalation between the two countries.
Rwanda denied the accusation, with Ambassador Martin Ngoga stating, “Rwanda is not waging war against the Republic of Burundi and has no intention of doing that.”
Calls for Sanctions and Lack of Action
Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner criticized the Security Council for its “lack of action” and called for sanctions against Rwanda. Despite a resolution adopted in February demanding the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and a ceasefire, Wagner stated that another city has fallen, a parallel administration has consolidated, and civilians have been killed, raped, and displaced.
Since resuming arms in 2021, M23 has seized territory, displacing tens of thousands and creating a humanitarian crisis. UN experts earlier this month reported that Rwanda’s army and the M23 have carried out summary executions and forced mass displacements in the region.
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