Written By Lisa Murimi
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused Rwanda of hindering negotiations to resolve the M23 rebel conflict in eastern DRC, which has displaced over 1.7 million people.Â
Speaking to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said Rwanda’s actions are creating obstacles in the peace process.
Wagner’s remarks follow accusations from Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, who claimed that Congo had refused to sign a peace deal agreed in August, which was mediated by Angola.
The M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group, has been fighting in Congo’s volatile eastern region since 2022. Congo, along with the UN and other international bodies, accuses Rwanda of providing military support to the rebels—an allegation Rwanda denies.
Rwanda, in turn, accuses Congo of collaborating with the Hutu rebel group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which has attacked Tutsis in both countries.
The two nations have agreed in principle to a peace plan, which involves Congo neutralizing the FDLR and Rwanda disengaging from the conflict.
However, Wagner criticized Rwanda for offering only vague withdrawal promises without guarantees, insisting both sides must implement their commitments simultaneously.
Talks are ongoing in Luanda, Angola, with a minister-level meeting scheduled in the coming days.
