Top US diplomat Marco Rubio has condemned Rwanda for violating the peace agreement it signed with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last week and vowed unspecified “action” in response.
The condemnation comes after the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group captured the key border city of Uvira in eastern DRC, just days after leaders of both nations and US President Donald Trump signed the “Washington Accords” on December 4 in Washington, D.C. Rubio called Rwanda’s actions a “clear violation” of the agreement, emphasizing that the United States will act to ensure that promises made under the accords are upheld.
The capture of Uvira, located along the border with Burundi, has raised fears that the conflict in eastern DRC could escalate into a wider regional war. The offensive is part of a larger M23 campaign launched at the beginning of December in South Kivu province, following the group’s earlier seizure of major cities Goma and Bukavu in the mineral-rich eastern region of the DRC.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz also voiced strong criticism of Rwanda’s involvement, accusing the country of “leading the region toward more instability and toward war.” Speaking to the UN Security Council on Friday, Waltz detailed Rwanda’s support for M23, saying its defense forces have provided materiel, logistics, and training while also fighting alongside the group with an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 troops. He added that the Rwandan military has deployed artillery, drones, and surface-to-air missiles, potentially with additional reinforcements for the latest offensive.
Since resuming armed operations in 2021, M23 has captured vast areas of territory in eastern DRC, displacing tens of thousands of civilians and worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region. Earlier this month, UN experts reported that the Rwandan army and M23 had been involved in summary executions and forced mass displacements of local populations, underscoring the growing human rights concerns.
The United States has framed the Washington Accords as a major step toward peace in the region, with President Trump previously highlighting the DRC conflict as one of several wars he has helped to resolve since returning to the White House. However, the recent military actions by M23, backed by Rwanda, threaten to undermine the agreement and destabilize the region further.
As tensions rise, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls growing for urgent diplomatic engagement to prevent the conflict from spreading beyond eastern DRC and triggering a wider regional crisis.