Rwanda accuses DRC and Burundi of escalating South Kivu conflict

Rwanda denied responsibility for renewed clashes in South Kivu, instead accusing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi of escalating hostilities and violating ongoing ceasefire commitments under regional peace agreements.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Kigali said the Congolese army (FARDC), the Burundian National Defence Force (FDNB), and allied militias — including the FDLR, Wazalendo groups and foreign fighters — have carried out “systematic bombing of civilian villages” near the Rwandan border using fighter jets and attack drones. Rwanda said the AFC/M23 rebel movement has responded to these attacks, claiming it was “forced to counter” FARDC and FDNB operations.

Rwanda reported that intensified shelling in the Kamanyola area over the past week prompted more than 1,000 Congolese civilians to flee into its Western Province.

The displaced families are now being hosted at the Nyarushishi Transit Camp in Bugarama.

Kigali further accused Burundi of deploying close to 20,000 troops in South Kivu in support of Kinshasa, alleging that Burundian forces have “laid siege” to Banyamulenge communities in Minembwe in an attempt to starve residents.

Burundi has not publicly responded to the allegations.

Rwanda also faulted Kinshasa for publicly declaring it would not observe a ceasefire as it seeks to retake territories held by AFC/M23, despite the ongoing implementation of the Washington Accords and the June 2025 Peace Agreement.

The statement argued that the international community had been informed of DRC’s intentions but had not demanded an end to its military campaigns.

Kigali said DRC’s failure to neutralize the FDLR — a key requirement of the peace agreements — continues to undermine efforts to stabilize eastern Congo and threatens Rwanda’s security.

“It is now clear that the DRC was never ready to commit to peace,” the statement read, accusing President Félix Tshisekedi’s government of signing recent agreements “as if forced.”

Rwanda warned that continued violations of the accords pose significant risks to regional stability and prolong suffering for civilians in eastern DRC.

Kigali called for the “full implementation” of the Washington Accords and the conclusion of outstanding annexes of the Doha Agreement between DRC and AFC/M23 as the only viable path to restoring peace in the Great Lakes region.

Kinshasa has in the past dismissed similar accusations, insisting that Rwanda supports the M23 rebellion — a claim Kigali denies. Congo President Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of violating peace deal

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi on Monday accused Rwanda of violating its commitments to the U.S.-brokered peace deal aimed at ending years of conflict in the country’s mineral-rich east, just days after attending a signing ceremony in Washington.

Tshisekedi made the accusations in a speech to lawmakers.

The U.S. State Department urged Rwanda to prevent escalation.

Deadly clashes have marred efforts to begin implementing the terms of U.S. and Qatar-brokered agreements brokered in recent months between Congo, Rwanda, and the rebel group M23.

Over the weekend, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advanced in an area close to the border with Burundi, seizing the village of Luvungi, according to residents.

Rwanda denies backing the rebels.

Some Congolese soldiers fled the town and clashed with Wazalendo defense forces on Sunday in the nearby town of Sange, officials said.

Sange was bombed or struck with grenades, and as many as 36 people were killed, an official and other sources said on Monday.

It was not immediately clear which party to the conflict had fired or which type of weapon had caused the explosion.

Last week, Rwanda and Congo reaffirmed their commitment to a U.S.-brokered deal signed in June and signed new agreements in Washington.

“The United States is deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in eastern DRC, driving displacement and inflicting suffering on countless families,” said a U.S. State Department spokesperson.

“Rwanda, which continues to provide support to M23, must prevent further escalation.”

A senior Trump administration official said they were monitoring the situation “including areas where actions on the ground do not yet align with the commitments made.”

The official said the administration is working with both Congo and Rwanda, and that “the president has made clear to both sides that implementation is what he will judge, and as he stated, he is expecting immediate results.”