A confidential United Nations report has revealed that Rwanda is exercising direct command and control over the M23 rebel group operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The findings, submitted by independent UN experts to the Security Council in April 2025, allege that Rwanda has not only provided military support but has also issued operational orders to the M23 forces, including instructions on territorial captures, withdrawals, and strategic repositioning.
The report estimates that between January and April 2025, approximately 6,000 Rwandan troops were active in North and South Kivu provinces, supporting M23 operations. At the time of reporting, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 Rwandan soldiers remained embedded within rebel-held zones, while thousands more were stationed near the border, indicating sustained cross-border military activity.
UN experts stated that Rwanda trained M23 fighters at military bases in Gabiro, Nasho, and Gako, equipping them with advanced weapons systems, including air-defense capabilities that significantly tilted the battlefield advantage in favor of M23. The report also documented serious violations of the UN arms embargo, including an incident in January in which a missile likely fired by Rwandan forces struck a UN peacekeeping armored vehicle, causing casualties.
The M23 rebel group, long active in eastern Congo, has escalated its presence this year by seizing major towns such as Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. The group now controls vast areas of the mineral-rich provinces of North and South Kivu. According to the report, M23 has established parallel administrative structures to control and tax local resources, further consolidating its power base. In March, the group withdrew from Walikale, a move the UN attributes to direct Rwandan command.
This revelation comes amid a recent diplomatic effort led by the United States to broker peace in the region. On June 27, the presidents of Rwanda and the DRC signed a peace agreement in Washington, committing to halt support for armed proxy groups, including M23 and the anti-Rwandan militia FDLR. However, the M23 group was not a party to the agreement and continues separate negotiations in Qatar.
Rwanda has defended its involvement, stating that any troop deployment was aimed at countering the threat posed by the FDLR. The Rwandan government has called for the militia’s neutralization as a prerequisite for its withdrawal from Congolese territory. In contrast, the Congolese government insists that both actions—Rwanda's withdrawal and the neutralization of the FDLR—must occur simultaneously.
The UN report has sparked renewed concern over regional stability and the effectiveness of peace efforts. Experts warn that unless M23 is fully included in the peace process and regional actors are held accountable, the conflict in eastern Congo risks further escalation. The mineral wealth of the region, including deposits of coltan, cobalt, and lithium, continues to attract armed groups and external interests, complicating peacebuilding and governance.
With a summit of regional leaders expected in July and ongoing talks in Qatar, the future of eastern Congo remains uncertain. The international community faces mounting pressure to ensure that diplomatic agreements are enforced and that the sovereignty of the DRC is upheld amidst growing evidence of external interference.