During the signing of the peace agreement
Congo accuses Rwanda of breaching Trump-brokered peace deal
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- Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of violating last week’s US-brokered peace deal.
- Rwandan troops allegedly fired into South Kivu, hitting Kaziba, Katogota, and Lubarika.
- Rwanda denies the accusations, calling claims “ridiculous” and an attempt to shift blame.
Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda on Monday of violating a peace agreement signed just last week in Washington, DC, aimed at ending decades of conflict in eastern Congo.
“Rwanda is already violating its commitments,” Tshisekedi said in a speech to parliament, referring to the December 4 agreement he signed with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The pact, described as “historic,” followed a US-brokered ceasefire from June intended to halt fighting in the eastern provinces.
Tshisekedi claimed that a day after signing, the Rwandan army fired heavy weapons from Bugarama into Congolese territory, causing significant human and material damage in Kaziba, Katogota, and Lubarika in South Kivu. “This is a violation of the ceasefire agreement,” he said.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe rejected the accusations, calling them “ridiculous” and an attempt to shift blame. During the signing ceremony, Kagame emphasized that the US-led agreement contained “everything needed to end this conflict once and for all.”
The agreement calls for the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops, dismantling of foreign armed groups, including the Rwandan FDLR rebels, cessation of hostilities, and the creation of a joint security mechanism to oversee implementation. Tshisekedi reaffirmed Congo’s commitment to the diplomatic path and the signed deal.
Eastern Congo has suffered decades of violence, with thousands killed and millions displaced, according to the UN and Kinshasa authorities. Clashes last week between government forces and the M23 rebel group in Masisi territory, North Kivu province, continued on Monday.
The M23, which resurfaced in 2021, launched an offensive against Congolese forces, reigniting a long-standing conflict. The UN, Kinshasa, and other observers accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, allegations Kigali denies.
