Lead: The United States has accused Rwanda of violating a US-brokered peace accord after the M23 rebel movement seized the strategic Congolese port city of Uvira in eastern South Kivu. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz made the charge on 12 December 2025 as Congolese officials and regional monitors reported that more than 400 civilians have been killed and roughly 200,000 people displaced since the latest offensive began. The attack follows a Washington meeting last week in which presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed an agreement that obliged Rwanda to end support for armed groups. US officials warned they will act against any actors who seek to derail the fragile settlement.
Key Takeaways
- Over 400 civilians killed in eastern DRC since the M23 offensive escalated in South Kivu, according to regional officials and government statements.
- M23 announced it captured Uvira on 10–11 December 2025; the city was the DRC government’s last major holdout in South Kivu after Bukavu fell in February.
- About 200,000 people have been displaced from the recent fighting and many civilians have fled across the border into Burundi.
- US Ambassador Mike Waltz told the UN Security Council on 12 December that Rwanda provided logistics and training support to M23 and that Rwandan forces were present alongside rebels.
- UN figures cited in recent reporting place M23 at roughly 6,500 fighters; US/UN sources estimate Rwandan forces in the area at about 5,000–7,000 as of early December.
- The Washington accord — signed last week by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents — did not include M23, but required Rwanda to halt material support for armed groups.
- Congo’s foreign minister has called for targeted sanctions, a mineral export ban on Rwanda, and a halt to Rwandan participation in UN peacekeeping if allegations are confirmed.
Background
Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has long been a mosaic of armed groups competing over territory, political influence and highly valuable mineral deposits. More than 100 militias operate across the region; M23 is among the most militarily capable and, by some UN estimates, has grown from a few hundred fighters in 2021 to roughly 6,500 today. The mix of local grievances, national politics and cross-border dynamics with Rwanda and Burundi has repeatedly produced cycles of violent escalation.
In February 2025 M23 captured Bukavu, the South Kivu provincial capital, dealing a major blow to the Congolese government’s presence in the province. The group’s advance has since aimed to secure a contiguous corridor across the eastern provinces, increasing access to Lusitan mineral sites and strategic border points on Lake Tanganyika. Regional actors — notably Rwanda and Burundi — have long been accused by Kinshasa and outside observers of backing proxy forces to protect geopolitical interests.
Main Event
The most recent phase of the offensive accelerated in early December 2025. According to the Congolese ministry of communication, M23 fighters pushed rapidly and entered Uvira on the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika, a port directly across from Burundi’s largest city, Bujumbura. Uvira’s fall removes the last significant government foothold in South Kivu and lets the rebels consolidate influence along a key east–west axis.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz addressed the Security Council on 12 December, characterising the situation as a renewed outbreak of violence and directly alleging that Rwandan personnel provided logistical and combat support to M23. Waltz warned that Washington would deploy available tools to hold accountable those who undermine peace efforts. He also urged Rwanda to respect the DRC’s sovereign right to defend its territory and to permit friendly Burundian forces to assist Kinshasa.
Regional officials report more than 400 civilian deaths linked to the recent fighting and displacement of roughly 200,000 people. Refugee flows have crossed into Burundi, and there are reports of shells landing in Rugombo on the Burundian side of the border, heightening fears of broader spillover. Local hospitals and humanitarian agencies say they are strained by the scale of casualties and displacement.
Analysis & Implications
The immediate humanitarian consequence is severe: large-scale internal displacement, health system overload, and interrupted supply routes for food and medicine. A consolidated rebel corridor across eastern DRC would complicate relief delivery and could entrench a parallel authority that undermines Kinshasa’s ability to govern and secure mineral-producing areas.
Politically, the episode strains regional diplomacy. The Washington-brokered accord aimed to reset relations between Kinshasa and Kigali but did not bind the rebel leadership; that omission has left a gap the M23 has exploited. If Rwanda is shown to have materially supported M23 after signing commitments, the credibility of regional confidence-building will be damaged and international pressure on Kigali is likely to increase.
Economically, control of eastern territories has implications for access to critical minerals that power modern technologies. The report notes US interest in alternative supply chains for rare earths and related minerals — an economic motive that intersects with security calculations. Any prolonged instability will deter legitimate investment and could invite competitive external influence in extraction and logistics.
Comparison & Data
| Indicator | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Civilian deaths (recent offensive) | 400+ (regional officials) |
| People displaced (recent offensive) | ~200,000 |
| Total displaced in eastern DRC (UNHCR) | 7,000,000+ |
| M23 estimated fighters | ~6,500 (UN estimate) |
| Rwandan forces reported in area | ~5,000–7,000 (US/UN cited estimate) |
| Rwandan UN peacekeepers globally | ~6,000 |
The table aggregates figures cited by regional officials, UN agencies and US statements. The sharp recent rise in displacement contrasts with the longer-term humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, where UNHCR reports more than 7 million people displaced. Comparative figures underscore both the acute spike caused by the December offensive and the chronic nature of instability in the region.
Reactions & Quotes
“We are profoundly concerned and incredibly disappointed with the renewed outbreak of violence. Rwanda is leading the region towards increased instability and war.”
Mike Waltz, US Ambassador to the UN (official remarks, 12 December 2025)
Waltz framed the matter as a breach of the Washington-brokered understanding and signalled that Washington would consider measures against actors who obstruct peace. His comments were directed at the UN Security Council and international partners as diplomats weighed next steps.
“This agreement was meant to be a turning point. Those who brazenly violate it must face consequences.”
Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, DRC Foreign Minister (government statement)
The foreign minister appealed to the Security Council for targeted sanctions, a mineral export ban from Rwanda and restrictions on Kigali’s ability to contribute troops to UN missions if the allegations are validated.
“We have taken control of Uvira and will secure civilian safety and order in liberated areas.”
M23 spokesperson (rebel communication)
M23’s claim of control over Uvira was followed by rapid attempts to establish administration and patrol lines; independent verification on the ground remains limited given security constraints.
Unconfirmed
- Precise numbers and engagement of Rwandan regular forces in combat operations remain contested and have not been independently verified on the ground.
- Attribution of logistics and training to Rwanda for all M23 operations is based on US and UN assessments but lacks court-level or incontrovertible documentary proof accessible publicly.
- Reports of shelling in Rugombo, Burundi, and the extent of cross-border combat stress require further field verification from neutral observers.
Bottom Line
The capture of Uvira and US accusations against Rwanda mark a serious test for the Washington-mediated deal and the wider effort to stabilise eastern Congo. If allegations of Rwandan support are substantiated, international responses could include targeted sanctions and diplomatic isolation that complicate regional ties and peacekeeping cooperation.
For civilians, the immediate priorities are protection, humanitarian access and stopping further displacement. Longer-term solutions require credible verification mechanisms built into any political settlement, stronger cross-border monitoring, and pragmatic steps to separate negotiations with rebel groups from state-to-state diplomacy.
Sources
- The Guardian — Press report summarising statements by US, DRC and regional officials (news media)
- UNHCR — Democratic Republic of the Congo — UN refugee agency page with displacement figures and humanitarian context (UN agency)
- US Mission to the United Nations — Official statements and remarks to the UN Security Council (official government source)