Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
Rwandan Support for M23 Rebels Frustrates Attempts to End Fighting in Eastern Congo

Scott Stearns/VOA News - September 26, 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon greets DR Congo President Joseph Kabila
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre, back to camera) greets Joseph Kabila Kabange, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), prior to a mini summit on the "Implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region". | UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the attacks being carried out by rebels in Eastern Congo against civilians "appalling". African heads of state met at the United Nations to discuss the conflict, which the United States says Rwanda is fueling by backing those rebels.

Fighters from Congo's M23 rebellion are the biggest challenge to government troops and U.N. peacekeepers in the eastern Kivu provinces of the Congo.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said earlier this week that the rebel attacks include violence against women and children.

"The extent of violence and human suffering in eastern DRC is overwhelming. I deplore the recent military activities of the M23 and the other armed groups in eastern DRC," said Ban.

African leaders meeting at the United Nations are backing peace talks in Uganda, but the talks are complicated by persistent reports of Rwandan support for the rebels. The United States is among those who have called on Rwanda to stop their support.

"We reiterate our call for Rwanda to cease any and all support to the M23 and to respect DRC’s territorial integrity, consistent with UN Security Council resolutions," said U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf.

By publicly accusing a U.S. ally of backing the M23 rebels, the Obama administration is making a bold move, says Sarah Margon of Human Rights Watch.

"They've told the Rwandans we're putting you on notice. But what next? And so if the Rwandans don't stop, what will the U.S. be willing to do?" wondered Margon.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame denies involvement and says the international community shouldn't focus on M23 rebels when there are so many other groups contributing to instability in the eastern regions of the Congo.

The peace talks in Kampala have focused on other armed groups as well.

In an interview with VOA, U.S. Special Envoy to the region Russ Feingold said that focusing on all the involved groups is the only way forward.

"Whatever happens with the Kampala talks, the framework and the peace process involving the countries in the region goes on and will deal with the root and fundamental problems, not just the issue of M23," said Feingold.

Nonetheless, achieving the more immediate goal of stopping the fighting requires focusing on the M23, said Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa.

"M23 should put an end to all military activities and stop war and threats of overthrowing the lawful government of the DRC," Kutesa declared.

President Joseph Kabila's troops are moving to re-establish central authority over eastern Congo, but Margon expects no end to challenges in the area.

"Without Rwanda ceasing to provide support for the M23, many of the other elements, whether it be the upcoming elections in Congo, Congo's extension of governing authority in the east, regional development, are not going to be able to happen," said Margon.

In the past, the rebels have been integrated into Congo's military as part of an attempt at reconciliation. This time around, Congolese officials say the worst of the M23 leaders will not be granted amnesty in any new peace deal.


Related articles


  1. 'Deadly environment' plus 'political and social' obstacles hinder Ebola fight, Security Council hears (July 24, 2019)
  2. Ebola outbreak declared an international Public Health Emergency (July 17, 2019)
  3. No elections in DR Congo in December without electronic voting machines: INEC (February 13, 2018)
  4. US Warns DR Congo Against Electronic Voting for Delayed Election (February 12, 2018)
  5. DRC Seeks Arrest of Presidential Candidate Moise Katumbi (May 19, 2016)
  6. Peacekeepers, Congo Army to Resume Joint Fight Against Rwandan Rebels (January 28, 2016)
  7. Political tensions 'running high' in DR Congo ahead of 2016 elections (October 7, 2015)
  8. UN Report Blames Ugandan Islamists for 237 Killings in DR Congo (May 14, 2015)
  9. DRC Army Putting Pressure on FDLR (April 1, 2015)
  10. ICC Confirms 14-Year Sentence Against Thomas Lubanga (December 1, 2014)
  11. ICC Case Against Bemba Wrapping Up as Another Opens (November 12, 2014)
  12. Violence in North Kivu Kills 21, Mostly Women, Children (October 18, 2014)
  13. Southern African Leaders to Meet in Zimbabwe (August 15, 2014)
  14. ICC confirms war crimes charges against Bosco Ntaganda (June 10, 2014)
  15. Kerry Calls on Kabila to Honor Constitution (May 4, 2014)
  16. Kerry in DR Congo for Security Talks (May 3, 2014)
  17. Security Council extends UN mission, intervention force in DR Congo for one year (March 28, 2014)
  18. Death toll in Lake Albert boat accident rises to 251 (March 27, 2014)
  19. U.S. sending more personnel to Uganda to hunt LRA leader Joseph Kony (March 24, 2014)
  20. Death toll in Lake Albert boat accident rises to 108 people (March 24, 2014)
  21. DR Congo Takes Chairmanship of COMESA at Summit in Kinshasa (February 26, 2014)
  22. Bosco Ntaganda Attacked Civilians on Ethnic Grounds, ICC Prosecutor Says (February 10, 2014)
  23. New DR Congo amnesty law welcomed by UN envoys (February 5, 2014)
  24. Colonel Mamadou Ndala Is Killed in Ambush (January 2, 2014)
  25. DR Congo, M23 Rebels Sign Declarations Marking End of Kampala Peace Talks (December 12, 2013)
  26. No 'Peace Deal' With Defeated M23 Rebels, DR Congo Says (November 11, 2013)
  27. Congo Will Not Sign a 'Peace Deal' With Defeated M23 Rebels, Government Says (November 6, 2013)
  28. Congo Army Takes Control of Mbuzi Hill From M23 Rebels (November 4, 2013)
  29. Kabila Congratulates Congo Army for Defeating M23 Rebels (October 30, 2013)
  30. Advancing Congo Troops Take Control of Rumangabo From M23 Rebels (October 28, 2013)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.