Improved writing:
Rwanda’s military involvement in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in support of the Tutsi M23 rebellion continues to draw strong condemnation. The European Union (EU) recently expressed strong disapproval of this situation, pointing to reports by the UN group of experts highlighting Rwandan support for the M23. In a statement by the head of diplomacy of the Twenty-Seven, Josep Borrell, the EU insisted on the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and urged Rwanda to end its support for the movement.
The M23 rebellion, which took up arms again at the end of 2021, has managed to take control of large territories in the province of North Kivu in the DRC, which shares a border with Rwanda and Uganda. Since the beginning of this conflict, the Congolese government has accused Rwanda of supplying arms to the rebels and of fighting on their side, accusations corroborated by UN experts, although Kigali denies them.
The EU, already concerned about Rwanda’s support for the rebellion, now reiterates its urgent request for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and calls on Rwanda to use all means at its disposal to put pressure on the M23 to in line with the decisions taken during the Nairobi and Luanda processes.
This condemnation of the Rwandan involvement in the crisis in the DRC also raises the responsibility of Kinshasa. The EU urges the Congolese authorities to immediately cease their support and cooperation with the various local and foreign armed groups, in particular the FDLR, while taking the necessary legal measures to protect the civilian population on their territory. The FDLR, a predominantly Hutu militia, are seen as a threat by the current government of Rwanda. Their existence and violence have justified past Rwandan interventions in the DRC.
The situation in eastern DRC remains worrying, with alarming reports of increasing violence and growing humanitarian needs. International actors continue to mobilize to find solutions and support stabilization and peace efforts in the region.
It is essential that the international community, including the EU, continues to strongly condemn any foreign military involvement in the conflicts in the DRC and to support measures aimed at ending the violence and protecting civilians. Resolving this crisis will require global commitment and concerted efforts from all relevant actors