The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have exchanged fresh accusations over renewed clashes and troop buildups in the country’s volatile east, further clouding stalled peace efforts.
On Tuesday, Congo’s army accused M23 of launching multiple attacks in violation of agreements signed in Washington and Doha, warning it “reserved the right to respond to provocations.” The military alleged the rebels were carrying out near-daily assaults on its positions.
The statement followed M23’s accusations on Monday that Congolese forces were deploying troops and heavy equipment to at least six locations, breaching a July 19 Doha declaration of principles that commits both sides to support a permanent ceasefire. The rebels also claimed Kinshasa was failing to release detained members, as stipulated in the agreement.
Peace talks, due to resume in Doha last week, have been delayed, with neither side currently represented. The July declaration set an August 8 start date for negotiations and targeted a final deal by August 18. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said the group had not received an invitation, while another commander told Reuters they would not attend until Congo honoured its commitments.
The Qatar-hosted talks are meant to run alongside a U.S.-led mediation effort involving Congo and Rwanda, aimed at securing lasting peace and unlocking Western investment in a mineral-rich region holding significant reserves of tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium.
M23, which seized the strategic city of Goma in January in its fastest territorial advance to date, now controls more territory than ever. Rwanda continues to deny backing the rebels, insisting its forces operate only in self-defence against Congo’s army and ethnic Hutu militias linked to the 1994 genocide.
Written By Rodney Mbua
