On Saturday, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe revealed that his Congolese counterpart refused to sign a previously agreed deal aimed at addressing the M23 rebel conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which has displaced over 1.7 million people.
The Tutsi-led M23 has been involved in an insurgency in eastern Congo since 2022, with Congo, the United Nations, and other entities accusing Rwanda of supporting the group with troops and weapons.
Rwanda, however, denies backing M23 and claims it has only taken defensive actions, accusing Congo of collaborating with the Hutu rebel group FDLR, known for attacking Tutsis in both countries.
In late August, both nations participated in talks aimed at reducing tensions and mitigating the humanitarian crisis, which has raised fears of a broader conflict in the region.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe stated that delegates at the talks, including Congo’s military intelligence chief, had reached and signed an agreement “for neutralizing the FDLR and ending Rwanda’s defensive actions.”
This plan was expected to be signed by ministers on Sept. 14, he explained, while attending a summit of Francophone leaders in France.
“We were prepared to sign but the Congolese minister refused. She initially provided feedback on the report, and later, after consulting others, she returned and informed us she opposed endorsing the agreement.”
The plan outlined that actions against the FDLR would occur first, followed by Rwanda relaxing its “defense measures” a few days later, according to Nduhungirehe, who noted that the Congolese minister opposed this staggered approach.
A representative for the Congolese government did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Both Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended the summit in France.
Although French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a three-way meeting, the leaders ultimately held separate private discussions with him.
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