The tension rose from DRC’s allegations accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group in clashes with Congolese Army (FARDC).
Meanwhile, Rwanda accuses Congo of collaboration with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist outfit comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
It also blames DRC for having shelled Rwandan territory at different times in collaboration with FDLR. The projectiles injured civilians and destroyed houses.
As he made a presentation to the UN Security Council on security issues in DRC; Bintou Keita, the Head of UN’s Stabilization Mission in DRC (MONUSCO), explained that the issues arise from the resurgence of M23 where they might stall achieved strides in restoring security in the country and the region.
She urged DRC and Rwanda ‘to seize the upcoming summit to be hosted by President João Lourenço of Angola in Luanda’ as an opportunity to mend tensions through dialogue.
Meanwhile, Bintou stressed the need for both countries to work with the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanisms (EJVM) to monitor border incidents and make informed decisions.
She did not however reveal timelines for anticipated talks between both countries.
Different envoys who attended the meeting also recommended dialogues to calm the situation.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Claver Gatete pointed out that the resurgence of M23 has overshadowed the presence of more than 130 armed groups in eastern DRC, including FDLR.
He drew attention to the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s false allegations — especially that Rwanda backs M23 ‑ and stressed he rejected the propaganda narrative that countries of the region want to “Balkanize” the east of Congo.
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