UN Experts Say Rwanda Commands M23 Rebels in Eastern Congo

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Updated Jul 2, 2025, 09:05 PM

Rwanda has exercised command and control over the M23 rebel movement during its rapid territorial gains in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a confidential report by United Nations experts seen by Reuters. The panel says Kigali’s involvement allowed M23 to seize the regional capitals of Goma and Bukavu earlier this year, expanding Rwanda’s political influence and access to the area’s lucrative deposits of gold, cobalt, tantalum and other minerals.

The experts estimate Rwanda deployed about 6,000 troops inside Congo ahead of the offensive, trained M23 recruits at military centres in Gabiro, Nasho and Gako, and supplied "high-tech systems capable of neutralising air assets"—all in breach of a UN arms embargo. They link Rwanda to a January missile strike that killed one UN peacekeeper and wounded four. Mineral smuggling from rebel-controlled zones into Rwanda is said to have reached "unprecedented levels."

Kigali denies backing M23 and says its forces operate in self-defence against Hutu militias such as the FDLR. The findings, submitted to the UN Security Council sanctions committee in May and expected to be published shortly, come as the United States and Qatar try to cement a peace agreement the Rwandan and Congolese foreign ministers signed in Washington last week. The report is likely to intensify scrutiny of Rwanda’s role in a conflict that has already displaced hundreds of thousands of Congolese civilians.

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#Rwanda #Democratic Republic of Congo #United Nations #Reuters #Kigali #Goma #Bukavu #Congo #Gabiro #Nasho #Gako #UN #M23 #Hutu #FDLR #UN Security Council #United States #Qatar #Rwandan #Congolese #Washington

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Sources

reuters.com(8)lesoir.be bloomberg.com ntvkenya.co.ke

Le journal Afrique TV5MONDE

@JTAtv5monde

In eastern DR Congo, since it took over Goma in January, AFC-M23 has set up a new administration with essential documents for movement. Some Gomatracians come to terms with it while others deplore arbitrary aspects of this organization.

Le Soir

@lesoir

Kagame is moving towards the annexation of eastern Congo, according to a new UN report

Africa Updates

@africaupdates

Rwanda🇷🇼 has exercised command and control over M23 rebels during their advance in eastern Congo, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory, according to a confidential report by a group of United Nations experts.