403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
US slams Rwanda for violating DR Congo peace deal
(MENAFN) The “historic” peace deal brokered last week in Washington by US President Donald Trump between DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has been severely undermined after the M23 rebel group captured the strategic city of Uvira in eastern DR Congo.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Rwanda’s alleged backing of the M23 offensive, calling it “a clear violation” of the agreement. Rwanda denies direct involvement, though its participation in the Washington summit was seen as tacit acknowledgment of its influence over the rebels. The M23, which is not a signatory to Trump’s deal, has been negotiating separately in a peace process led by Qatar.
Uvira, located in South Kivu province on the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika, is strategically crucial. It hosts roughly 700,000 residents and was the DR Congo government’s last major military foothold in the region. The city also served as the gateway for at least 10,000 Burundian troops supporting Congolese forces against the rebels. Analysts suggest the M23’s seizure of Uvira forces a partial withdrawal of Burundian troops and gives the rebels leverage in ongoing negotiations.
Experts indicate that the capture of Uvira allows M23 to potentially establish a parallel administration and use the city as a bargaining chip in peace talks. The DR Congo government has not officially acknowledged the setback but warned of the heightened risk of regional conflict.
Burundi, a longstanding ally of DR Congo and adversary of Rwanda, has closed its border in response to the rebel advance, though limited crossings continue after security checks. The country also faces a growing humanitarian crisis, with around 50,000 people fleeing into Burundi over the past week. Analysts warn that Uvira’s fall will exacerbate Burundi’s economic struggles, given its reliance on eastern DR Congo for foreign currency and fuel.
Political analysts suggest the timing of the offensive—just days before the Washington summit—was aimed at strengthening the rebels’ leverage and testing the credibility of both DR Congo’s government and the US-brokered deal. The latest developments signal that the peace process in the Great Lakes region remains fragile and complex, with regional rivalries continuing to shape the conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Rwanda’s alleged backing of the M23 offensive, calling it “a clear violation” of the agreement. Rwanda denies direct involvement, though its participation in the Washington summit was seen as tacit acknowledgment of its influence over the rebels. The M23, which is not a signatory to Trump’s deal, has been negotiating separately in a peace process led by Qatar.
Uvira, located in South Kivu province on the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika, is strategically crucial. It hosts roughly 700,000 residents and was the DR Congo government’s last major military foothold in the region. The city also served as the gateway for at least 10,000 Burundian troops supporting Congolese forces against the rebels. Analysts suggest the M23’s seizure of Uvira forces a partial withdrawal of Burundian troops and gives the rebels leverage in ongoing negotiations.
Experts indicate that the capture of Uvira allows M23 to potentially establish a parallel administration and use the city as a bargaining chip in peace talks. The DR Congo government has not officially acknowledged the setback but warned of the heightened risk of regional conflict.
Burundi, a longstanding ally of DR Congo and adversary of Rwanda, has closed its border in response to the rebel advance, though limited crossings continue after security checks. The country also faces a growing humanitarian crisis, with around 50,000 people fleeing into Burundi over the past week. Analysts warn that Uvira’s fall will exacerbate Burundi’s economic struggles, given its reliance on eastern DR Congo for foreign currency and fuel.
Political analysts suggest the timing of the offensive—just days before the Washington summit—was aimed at strengthening the rebels’ leverage and testing the credibility of both DR Congo’s government and the US-brokered deal. The latest developments signal that the peace process in the Great Lakes region remains fragile and complex, with regional rivalries continuing to shape the conflict.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Most popular stories
Market Research
More Story
Comments
No comment