Rwanda accuses Congo of preparing offensive during UN meeting
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The Rwandan Ambassador to the UN claims that the DRC is stockpiling weapons and planning for an offensive.
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M23 rebels patrol Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. (AP)
The Rwandan Ambassador to the UN rejected accusations of Rwanda being responsible for the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), adding that his country had evidence the Congo was planning a large attack against Rwanda.
"We categorically oppose the DRC's attempts to portray Rwanda as being responsible for its instability in the eastern DRC," said Ambassador James Ngango, adding, "What is clear, however, is the imminent threat the current situation poses to Rwanda. Following the fall of Goma, new evidence has come to light regarding an imminent, large-scale attack against Rwanda."
This came during an emergency meeting called by the Congo asking for investigations into violations of human rights perpetrated by the Rwandan-back M23 group, who took the vital city of Goma and continued to take more territory.
"It is urgent to exert international pressure so that Rwanda ceases its support of the armed groups and withdraws from the Congolese territory as soon as possible," Congo's Minister of Communication said at the meeting.
A unilateral ceasefire...?
The Rwandan-backed M23 group announced a unilateral ceasefire on Tuesday following their takeover of the city of Goma in eastern DRC, a city full to the brim with minerals that play a key role in the tech sector. This was preceded by pressure to allow safe passage for humanitarian aid.
This followed a UN health agency announcement on Tuesday that at least 900 people were killed in the fighting in Goma. By Wednesday, this toll unexpectedly climbed to 2,900 people.
What followed was the launch of a new offensive on Wednesday, targeting Nyabibwe, 100 kilometers away from the capital city of Bukavu, breaching their unilateral ceasefire, though the group itself announced it had no interest in capturing Bukavu or any other areas.
While Rwanda denies its involvement with the M23 militants, UN experts agree with the DRC's claim that Rwanda exercises "de facto control" of the armed group. The DRC accuses Rwanda of seeking to take the country's natural resources.
