The DR Congo leader, President Felix Tshisekedi, has accused neighboring Rwanda of intentionally stalling the implementation of a peace deal signed in Washington in June, aimed at de-escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Tshisekedi’s remarks came during a media briefing on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been grappling with a violent insurgency in its eastern provinces, where the M23 armed group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, has taken control of large areas, triggering what has been described as a spiraling humanitarian crisis. Despite diplomatic efforts, tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali remain high, and the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.
President Tshisekedi did not mince words as he accused Rwanda of duplicity, claiming that despite formally agreeing to peace terms, Rwanda continues to maintain a military presence on Congolese soil.
“Rwanda pretends to have withdrawn its troops, but in reality, they continue to be present on Congolese territory and to support the M23,” said the DR Congo leader. “They are trying to gain time for the crisis to worsen.”
The president’s comments point to a growing sense of frustration within the Congolese government, which has long claimed that Kigali’s involvement is a direct violation of its sovereignty and a major obstacle to lasting peace in the region.
Eastern DR Congo on the Brink Amid Rising Violence
The eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, has endured decades of violence fueled by non-state armed groups, competition over mineral wealth, and cross-border interventions. The region is rich in natural resources, including cobalt, coltan, and other critical minerals vital for global technology supply chains.
Since late 2021, the M23 (March 23 Movement) has reignited its armed campaign, capturing key towns and cities and establishing parallel administrations. In early 2025, the group captured both Goma and Bukavu, major urban centers near the Rwandan border. These events have significantly worsened an already volatile humanitarian situation, displacing hundreds of thousands and cutting off access to aid in multiple regions.
The DR Congo leader warned that the continued occupation and expansion of M23-held territory under alleged Rwandan support is not only a violation of international law but also a threat to regional stability.
Efforts to end the violence have included several high-level negotiations. Most notably, the Congolese and Rwandan governments signed a peace agreement in Washington in June 2025, under the mediation of U.S. officials. This was followed by a declaration of principles signed with the M23 in Qatar on July 19, which included a commitment to a permanent ceasefire.
However, Tshisekedi’s latest remarks suggest that these agreements have not translated into real changes on the ground. He emphasized that while the DR Congo remains committed to peace, progress requires genuine cooperation from Rwanda.
“We, from our side, are ready to make peace,” the DR Congo leader affirmed. “But peace cannot be one-sided. It needs commitment and honesty from all parties involved.”
Tshisekedi also hinted at the strategic importance of the DR Congo’s mineral resources, particularly for international partners like the United States. The region is one of the world’s largest producers of cobalt, a key component in electric vehicle batteries and electronic devices.
In an apparent bid to strengthen diplomatic leverage, the DR Congo leader suggested that enhanced security cooperation with Washington could be tied to stable access to these critical minerals. This marks a shift toward aligning natural resource diplomacy with national security interests, a trend increasingly seen across Africa.
Earlier this month, Rwanda rejected findings from Human Rights Watch, which cited satellite imagery showing the expansion of a military graveyard within Rwanda, allegedly linked to recent operations in eastern Congo. Kigali denied the report and accused international organizations of bias.
Meanwhile, regional observers and humanitarian agencies have warned that time is running out to avert a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe in eastern DRC. The UN and African Union have both called for restraint and a renewed commitment to peace, but without tangible progress, the prospects remain bleak.
As the conflict in eastern DRC deepens, DR Congo leader Felix Tshisekedi is ramping up pressure on Rwanda and the international community to act decisively. His remarks at the UN General Assembly come at a critical juncture, where diplomatic solutions appear increasingly fragile.
The DR Congo leader’s call for accountability underscores the urgency of ending a crisis that has displaced millions, destabilized the Great Lakes region, and exposed the vulnerabilities of regional peace mechanisms. Whether global and regional players respond with meaningful action remains to be seen.
Source- EWN
