The United Nations has reignited serious allegations against Rwanda in a newly published expert report submitted to the Security Council, detailing a large-scale military presence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) earlier this year.
The report, compiled by a panel of UN experts, reveals that between January and May 2025, approximately 6,000 Rwandan soldiers — many of them special forces — operated on Congolese territory, supporting the notorious M23 rebel group.
The findings surfaced mere days after Rwanda and the DRC signed a peace agreement in Washington. The timing has stirred renewed tension and raised pressing questions about Kigali’s intentions and ongoing involvement in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.
According to the document, the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) had not only crossed into North and South Kivu but had actively contributed to key military offensives, including the strategic captures of Goma and Bukavu earlier in the year. These actions, the report suggests, were part of a calculated campaign to extend influence, secure access to resources, and bolster M23 control in eastern Congo.
UN experts confirm that the RDF recruited former demobilized fighters from the FDLR—an armed group long considered a threat by Kigali — for reconnaissance and intelligence missions. After the successful seizure of Goma, some Rwandan troops were pulled back, but others were deployed southward to Bukavu. By May 2025, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 Rwandan soldiers remained active in M23-controlled areas, the report states.
Top Officials Named In Military Strategy
The document singles out key Rwandan military figures as architects of the operations. Chief among them is James Kabarebe, Rwanda’s Minister of Regional Cooperation and former military chief, who the U.S. Treasury sanctioned earlier this year for “orchestrating support” for the M23.
Also cited are General Vincent Nyakarundi, the army’s chief of staff, and General Patrick Karuretwa, head of Rwanda’s High Military Court. The report alleges these officials oversaw operations from an advanced RDF base in Gisenyi, just across the border from Goma.
While Rwanda has consistently claimed its military presence in eastern Congo is aimed at neutralizing the FDLR, the UN experts suggest otherwise. They assert that the real objective was territorial expansion and control over mineral-rich zones and fertile agricultural areas—moves that would also increase Rwanda’s political leverage within the DRC.
“These actions,” the report notes, “may lead to sanctions” due to their violations of international norms and impact on regional stability.
Rebel Recruitment Surges As Retaliation Grows
Beyond the Rwandan military involvement, the report sheds light on the evolving dynamics within M23. The rebel group has been expanding rapidly, recruiting from a wide pool that includes ex-FARDC soldiers, Wazalendo fighters, members of the Congolese diaspora, and former Rwandan military personnel. While some fighters enlisted voluntarily, others were allegedly forced to join.
Despite recent losses, the Congolese government continues to rely on irregular militias like the Wazalendo and FDLR to resist M23 advances. These groups have reorganized and begun launching counterattacks, though they remain significantly weakened, the UN notes.
In response to the report’s claims, Rwanda has stood by its denial of military involvement in the DRC. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo reiterated Kigali’s position, stating, “Rwanda is fully committed to its implementation, including the neutralization of the FDLR,” referring to the June 27 peace agreement signed in Washington.
The report’s revelations are expected to increase international scrutiny on Kigali’s role in the conflict, particularly as global actors seek accountability and transparency in the fragile peace process now underway.
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