US renews charge of Rwandan backing as rebels advance in DRC
Congolese army soldiers return to Kibumba with their luggage and weapons after spending time on the front lines a few miles from the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on June 1, 2022. PHOTO/AFP
What you need to know:
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a visit to the two countries in August voiced alarm over what he called credible reports that Rwanda was supporting the M23, a mostly Congolese Tutsi group.
The United States on Monday expressed renewed concern that Rwanda is backing M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo and joined UN calls for restoring peace.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a visit to the two countries in August voiced alarm over what he called credible reports that Rwanda was supporting the M23, a mostly Congolese Tutsi group.
"State support of armed groups is unacceptable, and we reiterate our concern about Rwanda's support to the M23," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Monday.
"We encourage countries in the region to work together to restore peace, security and trust while respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.
He said US officials have been in frequent contact over the past week with counterparts in both Rwanda and DR Congo on the escalating tensions.
The M23 resumed fighting in late 2021 after lying dormant for years, accusing the DRC of failing to honor an agreement to integrate its fighters into the army.
The frontline between the Congolese military and the M23 had been calm for several weeks, but fresh clashes from October 20 saw the militia make advances across North Kivu province.
The United Nations said it was worried by the fighting and estimated that it has forced some 50,000 people from their homes in the space of 11 days, including more than 10,000 who fled into Uganda.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the fighting has caused civilian casualties, massive displacement and the injury of four UN peacekeepers.
"The Secretary-General urges the M23 and other armed groups to immediately cease hostilities and to disarm unconditionally," the UN said in a statement Sunday.
Guterres, who has spoken recently with the Congolese and Rwandan presidents, as well as the leaders of Angola, Kenya, and AU-chair Senegal, also called for respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.
The DRC's government decided on Saturday to expel the ambassador of Rwanda, which voiced regret over the decision and has denied charges of meddling.
Relations between Rwanda and DR Congo have been strained since the mass arrival in the eastern DRC of Rwandan Hutus accused of slaughtering Tutsis during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
