A UN expert report seen by AFP on Monday has alleged that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers fought alongside the M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo, asserting that Rwanda has “de facto control” over the group’s operations. The M23 (March 23 Movement) rebellion has gripped North Kivu province since late 2021, with the group seizing large territories and establishing a parallel regime.
Rwandan Military Involvement
The report, commissioned by the UN Security Council, claims that the Rwandan army’s “de facto control and direction over M23 operations” makes Rwanda “liable for the actions of M23.” It highlights that Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) interventions in Nyiragongo, Rutshuru, and Masisi territories were pivotal to the M23’s territorial gains from January to March 2024.
Response from Rwanda
Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo responded to AFP, accusing the Democratic Republic of Congo of threatening war against Rwanda and affirming Rwanda’s right to defend itself. Despite these allegations, Rwanda had publicly denied the involvement of its troops alongside M23 rebels until the end of 2023.
Evidence and Findings
The report is supported by authenticated photographs, drone footage, video recordings, testimony, and intelligence confirming RDF’s systematic border incursions. Visual evidence includes armed men in uniform operating equipment such as artillery, armored vehicles, and anti-aircraft missile systems.
International Reactions
Several international actors, including the United States, France, Belgium, and the European Union, have urged Rwanda to withdraw its forces from Congolese soil and cease supporting the M23. Rwandan President Paul Kagame, in a June 20 interview with France 24, expressed readiness to fight against DR Congo if necessary but did not address the allegations of military presence directly.
Recruitment of Minors
The report also details the recruitment of children from refugee camps in Rwanda. Minors as young as 12 have been sent to training camps in the rebel zone, with those aged 15 and above being combat-trained and dispatched to the frontlines. Recruitment often involved false promises of remuneration or employment, with non-consenting minors taken forcefully.
Conflict Dynamics
The M23 and RDF have specifically targeted Hutu-dominated localities, known strongholds of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group formed by those behind the 1994 Tutsi genocide in Rwanda. The presence of FDLR in eastern DR Congo is viewed as a significant threat by Kigali.
DRC’s Response and Use of Armed Groups
The DRC government has reportedly used several North Kivu armed groups, including the FDLR, to combat M23 and RDF. This coalition, known as the Wazalendo (Swahili for patriots), has been accused of
numerous human rights violations. The UN report also confirmed active support for M23 from Ugandan intelligence services, despite Uganda’s military collaboration with the Congolese army against another rebel group affiliated with the Islamic State.
The international community continues to call for an end to foreign interventions in DR Congo and urges Kinshasa to distance itself from the FDLR. The complex interplay of regional forces and rebel groups highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving stability in eastern DR Congo.
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