Rwanda Confirms Troop Presence in Eastern DRC Amid Ceasefire Dispute

KIGALI, June 6 (AP) — Rwanda has indirectly confirmed the presence of its military forces in areas controlled by the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, escalating tensions as the United States presses for a withdrawal. The admission comes amid a deepening diplomatic rift over a ceasefire agreement that both sides accuse the other of violating.

The confirmation emerged following a high-level intervention by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called on the Rwandan government to honor its commitments and remove its troops from Congolese territory. Rubio emphasized the urgency of stabilizing the region, citing the humanitarian crisis and the risk of renewed large-scale conflict.

Rwandan officials rejected the demand for an immediate withdrawal, arguing that their forces remain in the region to combat the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia composed largely of Hutu extremists linked to the 1994 genocide. Kigali maintains that the FDLR continues to operate from within the DRC and poses a direct security threat. Rwanda stated that any troop withdrawal would only occur after the FDLR is fully disbanded and its leadership neutralized.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, meanwhile, has accused Rwanda of breaching the ceasefire by supporting the M23 rebellion. Kinshasa contends that Rwandan military backing has enabled M23 to seize strategic towns and control key supply routes in North Kivu province. The Congolese government insists that foreign intervention violates its sovereignty and undermines regional peace efforts.

The M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group, has made significant territorial gains in recent months, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians. The United Nations and regional mediators have repeatedly called for a cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of foreign forces. However, the situation remains fluid, with both Kigali and Kinshasa blaming each other for the ongoing violence.

Secretary Rubio’s intervention marks a significant escalation in U.S. diplomatic engagement in the crisis. Washington has historically supported regional stability and has urged all parties to engage in dialogue. The U.S. position aligns with the African Union and the East African Community, which have deployed mediation teams to facilitate negotiations.

Despite the diplomatic pressure, no timeline has been established for the removal of Rwandan troops or the disbandment of the FDLR. The question of how to verify the presence or absence of foreign forces remains unresolved. Regional leaders are expected to convene in the coming days to discuss a path forward, but the risk of further military confrontation persists.

As the standoff continues, civilians in eastern DRC face the brunt of the conflict, with access to food, water, and medical care increasingly restricted. The international community is watching closely, concerned that the crisis could spiral into a broader regional war. For now, the fate of the ceasefire hangs in the balance, dependent on the willingness of both Rwanda and the DRC to compromise.