Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - On Monday, September 22, Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of delaying the implementation of a peace agreement signed by Kinshasa and Kigali in Washington in June.
“Rwanda pretends to have withdrawn its troops but in
reality, Rwandan troops continue to be present on Congolese soil and to support
the M23,” Tshisekedi said, referring to the Rwandan-backed armed group that
made rapid gains in eastern DRC earlier this year.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the UN General
Assembly, Tshisekedi added, “Kigali is trying to gain time for the crisis to
worsen. We, from our side, are ready to make peace.”
The president also hinted that DR Congo is seeking greater
security cooperation from Washington in exchange for a stable supply of metals
used in electronic devices and batteries, such as cobalt.
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region bordering
Rwanda, is rich in natural resources but has been plagued by violence from
non-state armed groups for over three decades. Since resuming arms at the end
of 2021, the M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda, has seized significant
territory in the region, fueling a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Earlier this year, the M23 captured key cities including
Goma and Bukavu, establishing their own administrations in the occupied areas.
In response, the Congolese government and the M23 signed a
declaration of principles on July 19 in Qatar, which included a commitment to a
“permanent ceasefire” aimed at halting hostilities. This followed a separate
peace deal between the Congolese and Rwandan governments signed in Washington
in June.
Earlier this month, Rwanda criticized Human Rights Watch
after the group published a report using satellite data that appeared to show
an expanded military graveyard during months of conflict in neighboring DR
Congo.
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