Washington: The United States has accused Rwanda of fueling renewed fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, saying violence has intensified even after a peace deal brokered earlier this month by Donald J. Trump.
Speaking at the United Nations, US officials said Rwanda is backing the M23 rebel group, a charge Kigali strongly denies. The remarks came as clashes spread across parts of North Kivu and South Kivu, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes.
According to US diplomats, the peace agreement signed in Washington called for an end to support for armed groups and a pullback of foreign involvement. They said recent developments show those commitments are not being respected and warned that the region is being pushed toward a wider conflict.
The M23 group, which was not a party to the peace deal, has continued its offensive and has taken control of several key areas. Aid workers and local officials report civilian deaths, destroyed homes and growing humanitarian needs as people cross borders in search of safety.
Rwanda has rejected the US accusations, calling them unfounded. Rwandan officials say their country is acting in self defense and accuse Congo of failing to control hostile militias operating near the border.
The Congolese government has appealed for stronger international pressure, including possible sanctions, to stop outside support for rebels. The United Nations and regional leaders have urged all sides to halt fighting and return to dialogue, warning that continued violence could destabilize central Africa.
Despite the high profile peace effort, analysts say the agreement lacked strong enforcement measures and did not include all armed groups, making it fragile from the start. For civilians in eastern Congo, the collapse of calm has brought renewed fear and uncertainty just weeks after hopes were raised for lasting peace.