The Congolese army has accused Rwanda and M23 rebels of firing deadly artillery from Rwandan territory into eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, claims Kigali dismissed as “ridiculous.”
The military said late Saturday that Rwandan forces and AFC/M23 rebels intensified bombardments from Bugarama, striking densely populated areas along the Kamanyola-Uvira axis since Thursday.
The attacks came as Presidents Paul Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi signed a US-brokered peace agreement in Washington aimed at easing years of regional tension.
Maj. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge condemned the shelling as a “heinous crime,” alleging Kigali was intent on undermining the peace process despite its commitments under the accord.
He reported multiple civilian deaths and widespread destruction of schools, health centres and homes in the affected areas.
Rwanda has long been accused of backing the M23 rebellion, an allegation it consistently denies.
Although Kinshasa and M23 endorsed a Declaration of Principles ceasefire in Doha in July, clashes have persisted, with each side accusing the other of violating the truce.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told Anadolu on Sunday that the accusations were merely an attempt by Kinshasa to shift responsibility for renewed violence.
He said Congo had repeatedly breached the ceasefire by striking M23 positions and Banyamulenge communities with jets and drones, fuelling tensions and hate speech.
During Thursday’s signing ceremony, former US President Donald Trump said both sides had pledged to “end decades of violence” and open a path toward regional cooperation.
M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka claimed on X that their “compatriots were massacred” in Mutarule, Luvungi and Kamanyola during strikes by Congolese coalition forces on Friday.
Local media reported fresh clashes on Sunday in Masisi territory in North Kivu, where fighting has intensified in recent days.
Rebels reportedly seized Luvungi in South Kivu on Saturday after two days of heavy combat between the sides.
The renewed violence has displaced thousands, with roughly 1,000 Congolese civilians crossing into Rwanda last week to escape the fighting.