Keypoints:
- US says Rwanda has breached the Washington Accords on eastern DRC
- Marco Rubio warns Washington is prepared to take action
- Rwanda again denies backing M23 rebels despite mounting pressure
THE United States has sharply escalated its criticism of Rwanda, warning it may take action over what it describes as a clear breach of a US-brokered peace agreement aimed at ending violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Rwanda’s conduct in eastern DRC violated the Washington Accords, a deal signed under the auspices of US President Donald Trump to ease tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa and stabilise one of Africa’s most volatile regions.
‘Rwanda’s actions in eastern DRC are a clear violation of the Washington Accords signed by President Trump, and the United States will take action to ensure promises made to the President are kept,’ Rubio said in a post on X.
Washington hardens its stance
Rubio’s warning marks the strongest language yet from Washington since the agreement was signed, underscoring growing frustration within the Trump administration over continued fighting in eastern DRC. US officials have positioned the accord as a cornerstone of their regional diplomacy in the Great Lakes, viewing sustained instability as a threat to both humanitarian conditions and wider regional security.
The statement follows remarks by US diplomats at the United Nations on Friday, where Washington accused Rwanda of fuelling instability and prolonging conflict in eastern DRC. The US warned that renewed violence risks derailing months of diplomatic efforts designed to bring the two neighbours back from the brink.
M23 offensive under scrutiny
At the centre of the dispute is the M23 rebel group, whose renewed offensive in eastern DRC has alarmed both regional governments and international partners. Congolese authorities and several Western countries allege that Rwanda provides backing to the group, accusations Kigali has consistently denied.
US officials told the UN that the M23’s advances threaten to unravel fragile ceasefire arrangements and worsen an already dire humanitarian situation. Millions of civilians in eastern DRC remain displaced, with access to food, healthcare and basic services increasingly constrained by insecurity.
Rwanda rejects allegations
Rwanda has repeatedly denied supporting the M23 armed group or being directly involved in the conflict across the border. Kigali maintains that its primary concern is safeguarding its own security, pointing to the presence of hostile armed groups operating near Rwandan territory.
Rwandan officials argue that accusations from Kinshasa and its allies oversimplify a complex conflict rooted in decades of unresolved grievances, weak governance and the proliferation of armed groups in eastern DRC.
A fragile peace agreement
The Washington Accords were signed on December 4 by the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, even as clashes continued in parts of the conflict-scarred east. The deal committed both sides to de-escalation, dialogue and respect for territorial integrity.
However, continued fighting has raised questions about the accord’s durability and enforceability. Rubio’s warning that the US is prepared to act suggests Washington may consider diplomatic or other measures if it concludes that commitments under the agreement are not being honoured.
As tensions rise, the situation presents a critical test for US mediation efforts in central Africa, with the credibility of the peace process — and stability in the wider Great Lakes region — hanging in the balance.
