Britain’s foreign ministry has taken decisive diplomatic action by summoning Rwanda’s envoy to the UK in response to the recent advances made by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The development highlights escalating tensions in the region, particularly following the M23 fighters’ unchecked advance into Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, on Friday. By Sunday, the group had successfully seized control of the city, marking a significant territorial gain.
This seizure follows the M23’s previous success in capturing Goma, the key provincial capital in North Kivu, just last month, effectively routing the Congolese army in the process. The Foreign Office expressed strong condemnation of these actions, stating that they represent “an unacceptable violation of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The spokesperson emphasized the urgency of the situation by calling for Rwanda to “immediately withdraw” all Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) from Congolese territory.
In further remarks, the UK urged Rwanda to halt all hostilities and return to dialogue through African-led peace processes, underscoring the importance of diplomatic engagement in resolving the conflict. The M23’s capture of extensive territories in the mineral-rich eastern DRC has faced limited resistance from Congolese forces, raising concerns about the group’s operational capabilities and external support.
United Nations experts have suggested that Rwanda exerts significant control over the M23, estimating that there are at least 4,000 Rwandan troops actively fighting alongside the group. The DRC government has accused Rwanda of harboring “expansionist ambitions” and of engaging in the illegal extraction of minerals from the region. Thus far, calls for international sanctions against Rwanda have not yielded the desired results.
In a rebuttal, Rwanda has categorically denied any military support for the M23, instead accusing the DRC of providing refuge to the FDLR, a militia composed of Hutus responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide against Tutsis. The escalating conflict has led the UK government to issue warnings about the potential for a wider regional conflict, asserting that the situation could spiral out of control if military action continues unchecked. The government firmly believes that “there can be no military solution” to the ongoing crisis, further underscoring the need for a diplomatic resolution.
