U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday accused Rwanda of violating a recently signed peace agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, saying Kigali’s actions in eastern Congo undermine hopes for peace and promising that the United States will respond to keep commitments made under the deal.
In a post on X, Rubio said, “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.” The remarks come amid escalating conflict in eastern Congo that appears to be straining a fragile diplomatic breakthrough.
The Washington-brokered peace agreement was signed on Dec. 4 in Washington, D.C., by the presidents of the DRC and Rwanda with U.S. support, in an effort to end decades of violence in the mineral-rich region. But fighting has persisted just days after the signing, and key eastern towns have fallen to the M23 rebel group, which the United States and United Nations allege is backed by Rwanda — an accusation Kigali denies.
The capture of the strategic border city of Uvira in South Kivu province by M23 fighters this week has heightened concerns about a broader regional conflict and raised questions about the durability of the peace deal. Uvira’s fall, near the border with Burundi, has prompted fears the violence could spread beyond Congo’s borders.
At a U.N. Security Council meeting Friday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz sharply criticized Rwanda for what he described as fuelling instability and “leading the region towards increased instability and war.” He said Washington will use “the tools at our disposal” to hold accountable those undermining peace efforts.
The conflict has had a devastating human toll. Regional officials and U.N. agencies report that hundreds of civilians have been killed and tens of thousands displaced as the offensive has intensified, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo.
Rwanda has consistently denied direct military support for M23, characterising its presence in eastern Congo as defensive and tied to its own security concerns. Kigali has accused Kinshasa of supporting other armed groups and violating ceasefire terms.
The United Nations has welcomed the peace agreement in principle but warned that ongoing hostilities and distrust on the ground threaten broader stability in eastern Congo and the wider region, urging all parties to abide by their commitments and protect civilians.
The U.S. criticism reflects deepening frustration in Washington over the faltering implementation of an accord that had raised hopes for de-escalation, even as fighting persists and regional tensions rise.
