The U.S. Special Envoy to Africa has issued a strong call for Rwanda to withdraw all its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and to halt any support to the M23 rebel group, which is at the center of escalating violence in the region. This plea comes as tensions have intensified amid the M23’s advance, which is perceived by the international community as facilitated by support from Kigali—an accusation that the Rwandan government has consistently denied.
During an online press conference from Washington, Special Envoy Massad Boulos stated, “Rwanda should cease all military support to M23, and withdraw all Rwandan troops from DRC territory.” He emphasized the need for M23 to surrender their arms and expressed a hope that the conflict can be resolved through dialogue rather than ongoing hostilities.
The M23 has captured significant urban centers, including Goma and Bukavu, since the beginning of the year, posing a growing threat as they continue their territorial expansion. Reports from the United Nations and the Congolese government indicate that the recent surge in violence has resulted in thousands of casualties and has forced tens of thousands more to flee to neighboring countries.
Boulos highlighted the urgent need to conclude the prolonged conflict, declaring, “The conflict has gone for too long… it’s about time to end it.” He pointed to Rwanda’s claims regarding the presence of the FDLR, a militant group formed by Hutu extremists in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as a key issue for the Rwandan leadership. He noted that discussions about the FDLR were part of his recent conversation with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
The envoy indicated that the U.S. is prepared to employ various diplomatic and economic strategies to promote peace in the region, reaffirming the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations involved.
The international community has repeatedly urged the withdrawal of both M23 and Rwandan forces from eastern Congo, but these calls have largely gone unanswered. A recent diplomatic initiative led by Qatar sought to mediate the situation by bringing together Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and President Kagame in Doha to discuss a potential ceasefire. Nonetheless, subsequent developments saw M23 forces seizing control of Walikale, a strategically important and resource-rich town.
In an effort to bolster the peace process, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé was appointed as the new African Union mediator in the conflict last month. However, the AU has drawn criticism for its hesitation to directly identify Rwanda as a supporter of the M23, complicating efforts to address the root causes of this ongoing crisis.
