
Congo’s army accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels on Tuesday of mounting repeated attacks in eastern Congo in violation of agreements signed in Washington and Doha, warning it reserved the right to respond.
The charge came a day after M23 accused Congolese forces of massing troops and breaching a July 19 Doha declaration that endorsed a permanent ceasefire. Both sides pledged to begin talks by Aug. 8 and aim for a final deal by Aug. 18, but no delegations are currently in Qatar.
M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said last week the group had not been invited to the talks. Another senior rebel figure told Reuters they would not attend until Kinshasa released detained members, as stipulated in the declaration.
Congo’s army says M23 is attacking its positions almost daily, while the rebels claim the military has moved troops and equipment into at least six locations.
The Qatar talks are meant to complement a U.S.-brokered mediation effort involving Congo and Rwanda. Washington hopes the push can end the conflict and attract major Western investment to the region’s mineral-rich provinces.
M23 captured Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, in January, marking its deepest territorial gains to date. Rwanda denies backing the rebels, insisting its forces act only in self-defence against Congolese troops and Hutu militias linked to the 1994 genocide.