Congo President Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of delaying peace efforts
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Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of delaying peace efforts and backing the M23 armed group despite recent agreements, warning that Kigali is worsening the Congo-Rwanda conflict while Kinshasa seeks stronger security cooperation with Washington.
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Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi speaks during a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi, has accused Rwanda of obstructing peace efforts, despite agreements signed earlier this year.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Tshisekedi said that although Kigali claims to have withdrawn its forces, Rwandan troops remain active in eastern Congo while continuing to support the M23 armed group.
“Rwanda pretends to have withdrawn its troops but in reality, Rwanda troops continue to be present on Congolese soil and to support the M23,” Tshisekedi stated.
He further added that Kigali is “trying to gain time for the crisis to worsen,” while Kinshasa remains committed to peace.
Read more: DR Congo, Rwanda outline deal on mining, economic cooperation: US
Peace deals under strain
Tshisekedi emphasized that his government is ready to honor agreements, but accused Rwanda of undermining them. In June, Congo and Rwanda signed a peace deal in Washington, followed by a declaration of principles with the M23 armed group in Qatar on July 19, which called for a permanent ceasefire. However, fighting has continued in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, putting both agreements under pressure.
The resurgence of the M23 armed group at the end of 2021 has worsened instability in eastern Congo. Backed by Rwanda, the group has seized key territories, including Goma and Bukavu, setting up parallel administrations and displacing large numbers of civilians.
The violence has fueled a deepening humanitarian crisis, adding to more than three decades of turmoil in the region.
Congo seeks greater security cooperation
Amid the conflict, Tshisekedi signaled that Congo is seeking stronger security ties with Washington. Kinshasa also said it would aim to guarantee a stable supply of critical minerals such as cobalt, essential for electronic devices and batteries.
Earlier this month, Rwanda rejected a Human Rights Watch report that used satellite imagery to highlight the expansion of a military graveyard during the ongoing clashes in eastern Congo.
