Faith Nyasuguta
The United States has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) eastern region, leading to heightened tensions between the nations.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement on Saturday condemning the escalating violence and urging an immediate cessation of hostilities by M23, specifically calling for withdrawal from positions around Sake and Goma.
Furthermore, the U.S. called on Rwanda to swiftly remove its military personnel from the DRC and dismantle its surface-to-air missile systems.
Rwanda responded strongly to the accusations, with its foreign affairs ministry asserting that the U.S. statement distorts reality. Rwanda maintains the right to self-defense against perceived threats from the DRC’s actions in the area.
Expressing “deep concern,” Rwanda criticized what it sees as the abandonment of regional peace processes and accused the international community of indifference toward the DRC’s significant military buildup.
This escalation in tensions unfolds amid a surge in violence in eastern DRC in recent weeks, marked by clashes between M23 rebels, government forces, and local self-defense groups supporting them.
The conflict has resulted in a large-scale displacement of hundreds of thousands, particularly in Goma, as M23 advances on the city.
In response to the crisis, South Africa announced last week its commitment to send a contingent of 2,900 troops as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force deployed to assist Congo in combating rebel groups.
This move reflects regional efforts to address the complex security situation in eastern DRC and highlights the broader impact of the conflict, with neighboring nations actively participating in seeking a resolution to the crisis.
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