President Félix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of violating the fragile peace agreement intended to stabilise eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region long burdened by armed conflict and humanitarian crises. The accusation comes amid mounting tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali over the presence of the M23 rebel movement, which the Congolese government continues to allege is backed by Rwanda.
Speaking during a public address in Kinshasa, President Tshisekedi asserted that Rwanda’s alleged involvement represents a “clear breach” of the Luanda and Nairobi peace frameworks, both of which were established under the auspices of the African Union and regional blocs to foster dialogue and security cooperation. Rwanda has consistently denied supporting the M23 insurgency, maintaining that instability in eastern Congo stems from internal governance challenges and the presence of hostile militias, including the FDLR, which contains remnants of perpetrators of the 1994 genocide.
Independent observers and UN reports have noted evidence of foreign military support in the region, though the attribution remains disputed. The United Nations Group of Experts has documented continued cross-border movement of armed groups, weapons and resources, underscoring the persistent fragility of regional peace efforts.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced waves of violence in its eastern provinces, displacing millions and compounding humanitarian pressures in North Kivu and Ituri. The complex web of armed actors, many of whom exploit mineral wealth, reflects a broader struggle for control and legitimacy rather than a simple bilateral conflict.
Regional leaders, including those from Angola and Kenya, have urged restraint and called for renewed commitment to dialogue through African-led mechanisms. Angola’s President João Lourenço, who has mediated previous rounds of talks, emphasised the need for “African solutions to African problems”, a sentiment echoed by the East African Community.
The African Union and the United Nations have both expressed concern over renewed hostilities, warning that escalation could undermine the credibility of the continent’s peace architecture. Analysts stress that sustained progress depends on local ownership of peace processes, inclusive governance in Congo’s eastern provinces, and genuine political will from both Kinshasa and Kigali.
For many Congolese citizens, the recurrence of violence evokes both fatigue and resilience. Civil society groups have appealed for transparent dialogue and a reframing of the crisis away from external blame narratives towards a shared regional responsibility.
While the political rhetoric intensifies, the humanitarian situation remains dire. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than seven million people are currently displaced across the DRC, with eastern provinces bearing the heaviest burden. The need for sustainable peace has never been more urgent.
