The United States has ordered Rwanda to withdraw all military forces and equipment from Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) immediately, amid escalating concerns over repeated ceasefire violations in the area.
In a direct statement issued on Friday night, the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs urged Kigali to remove its personnel, including surface-to-air missile systems, from Congolese territory.
The U.S. also called on Rwanda to “cease GPS disruptions” affecting the DRC, warning that such interference has consequences for both military and civilian operations within the region. These disruptions are believed to hinder stability in an area already fraught with longstanding conflict involving various armed groups.
Washington further advised the DRC government to halt its support of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group tied to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The presence of the FDLR in the DRC has been a constant source of tension between the two countries, with Rwanda citing security threats from the group as justification for deploying its forces into the eastern DRC.
This latest appeal reflects a mounting diplomatic push from the U.S. to curb actions that risk destabilising the region. “The United States is concerned by ceasefire violations in eastern DRC,” the Bureau’s statement read, calling on both nations to respect the fragile peace and take immediate steps to de-escalate.
Eastern DRC has been a conflict zone for years, plagued by rival militias, complex political grievances, and natural resource competition. Rwanda’s growing military presence in the area, coupled with accusations that the DRC provides support to anti-Rwandan forces, has fuelled a rapid decline in diplomatic relations. Rwanda maintains that its actions are defensive, aimed at containing security threats posed by groups like the FDLR.
However, the DRC government and several regional and international observers view Rwanda’s deployment as a violation of Congolese sovereignty and a destabilizing factor in an already volatile region.
Reports of advanced Rwandan military equipment, including surface-to-air missiles, along with disruptions to GPS systems, have only escalated concerns, with the DRC accusing Rwanda of infringing on its territorial integrity.
Additionally, Congolese officials contend that Rwanda’s presence has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region, as local communities are often caught in the crossfire between various armed groups and foreign military forces.
Refugee crisis
This backdrop of mutual distrust and accusations has contributed to the breakdown of ceasefire agreements and regional peace efforts.
Despite multiple diplomatic interventions, including mediation by the African Union and East African Community, Rwanda’s continued deployment in the eastern DRC has complicated prospects for lasting peace.
The recent U.S. call for an immediate Rwandan withdrawal from the DRC reflects a growing international demand for both nations to pursue de-escalation measures and respect each other’s sovereignty to avoid further destabilizing the region.
The situation has been further aggravated by the M23 rebellion, which has displaced large numbers of Congolese civilians.
According to recent United Nations figures, over 1.5 million people have been displaced in North Kivu province alone, where M23 activity is concentrated.
The M23 resurgence has led to widespread displacement, with many families fleeing conflict zones for the relative safety of neighbouring areas or even crossing borders. Since the group’s renewed insurgency in 2022, thousands have sought refuge in camps around Goma, the capital of North Kivu, while others have crossed into Uganda and other neighboring countries.
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