DRC Accuses Rwanda of Violating US-Backed Peace Agreement, M23 Rebels Launch Military Offensive

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The Democratic Republic of Congo has accused Rwanda of violating a recently signed US-brokered peace agreement by backing renewed military offensives from the M23 rebels.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, there has been a brutal war going on in the DRC that dates all the way back to 2012, when the M23 rebels broke off from the Congolese army. At the time, M23 accused the government of failing to honor a peace agreement. The conflict is rooted in ethnic tensions, political power struggles, and control over the region’s vast mineral wealth, which includes trillions of dollars worth of rare earth materials such as cobalt, gold, and tin. Rwanda is accused of backing M23 by providing military support, weapons, and logistical assistance, allegedly profiting from the illegal export of these minerals. Despite the accusations, Rwanda has denied any involvement, insisting that their actions were focused on securing their border from armed groups operating within the DRC. Throughout the war, M23 was accused of severe human rights abuses, including mass executions, recruitment of child soldiers, and rape, leading to mass displacements and a dire humanitarian crisis. Last week, both countries signed an agreement with President Trump that seeks to end hostilities, stabilize the region, and open the door for US investment in rare earth mining.

What’s going on now: DRC President Félix Tshisekedi is now accusing Rwanda of breaking the peace deal just 24 hours after it was signed in Washington. He told Congolese lawmakers that the Rwandan military directly carried out attacks in multiple locations in South Kivu province, using heavy weaponry in coordination with M23 fighters. According to Tshisekedi, Rwanda has acted in bad faith, escalating violence rather than stepping back.

The renewed fighting has been particularly intense near Uvira, a strategic town on the border with Burundi, where M23 rebels have advanced rapidly, taking control of surrounding areas including Luvungi, Sange, and Luberizi. At least 36 people have been killed in one local village according to reuters.

Rwanda, for its part, has pushed back hard against the allegations. Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe dismissed the claims as “ridiculous,” accusing the DRC of scapegoating Rwanda instead of dealing with its own internal instability. Rwandan officials continue to deny any involvement with M23, instead asserting that their actions are aimed at protecting Rwanda’s borders from hostile militias operating out of eastern Congo.

M23 has not directly responded to the renewed fighting but its leaders continue to justify the movement’s existence as a response to government failure and corruption.

This all comes as the White House has expressed “deep concern” over the outbreak of fighting, with a State Department spokesperson urging Rwanda to prevent further escalation. A senior official from the Trump administration said the president expects “immediate results” from both sides in upholding the terms of the deal. However, the administration has not addressed the M23 offensives directly.