DRC and Rwanda-backed rebels accuse each other of sabotaging peace deals

The DRC army and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels traded accusations of ceasefire violations on Tuesday, just two days before a White House-hosted signing of a peace accord aimed at ending fighting in the country’s east. The United States and Qatar have been mediating talks to restore peace in North and South Kivu provinces, where clashes have displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Rwanda has denied backing M23, which says it is fighting to protect Tutsi communities in eastern DRC.

Both sides accused the other of attempting to sabotage the peace deals with attacks in South Kivu.

The Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) said its troops came under attack in Kaziba, Katogota and Lubarika from M23 and allied forces. “These attacks clearly show the coalition’s intention to sabotage the Washington and Doha peace agreements,” army spokesperson Major General Sylvain Ekenge said in a statement. Corneille Nangaa, leader of a rebel alliance including M23, said on X that Congolese forces, together with the Burundian army and other allies, had launched attacks in the same province since morning.

“Faced with this violation of the ceasefire within the Doha peace process, the [alliance] has no choice but to defend itself and protect civilian populations,” he said. The alliance’s spokesperson and M23’s president echoed similar claims on X. U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to host the leaders of Rwanda and DRC on Thursday to sign the peace agreement.

Earlier this year, M23 staged a rapid advance in eastern DRC, seizing the region’s two largest cities and raising fears of a wider conflict.

Scroll to Top