Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, has strongly criticized a recent UN experts’ report accusing the M23 rebel group of establishing control in eastern DRC with alleged Rwandan support.
The 185-page report, released on 30 December 2025, claims M23 has expanded its hold over South Kivu’s mineral-rich areas, including cassiterite, coltan, and wolframite mines, and warns that its attacks on civilians and FDLR forces could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. It also alleges that the FARDC relies on the FDLR and affiliated militias in its operations.
Minister Nduhungirehe called the report biased, accusing the UN experts of siding with the FDLR while ignoring FARDC attacks on civilians, including Tutsi Congolese. He reaffirmed Rwanda’s stance that it does not support M23 and only acts to safeguard its borders.
M23, meanwhile, accuses the FARDC of violating peace agreements and attacking its positions during ongoing negotiations.
