Democratic Republic of the Congo–Rwanda tensions (2022–present)
Part of the M23 offensive (2022–2023) and the Kivu conflict

The DRC (orange) and Rwanda (green)
DateMarch 27, 2022 – present
(1 year, 9 months and 3 weeks)
Location
Central Africa
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Félix Tshisekedi
Units involved
 FARDC

Rwanda Defence Force

  • 401st Battalion as of October 24[7]
Strength
Unknown
Casualties and losses
    • 2 soldiers killed trying to cross the Rwandan border
    • 1 Su-25 damaged[8]
    • 1 Soldier killed (per Rwanda)
    • 2 officers injured (per Rwanda)
    • 2-274 Congolese civilians killed (per DRC)
    • Several Rwandan and Congolese civilians wounded

In 2022, heavy tensions broke out between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, which have led to several alleged attacks by Congolese and Rwandan forces on each other's territory. Rwandan forces have been caught crossing into the DRC multiple times, usually fighting alongside Congolese rebels.

The crisis is related to an ongoing offensive beginning in March 2022 by the March 23 Movement (M23), which the Congo, United Nations, United States, and other Western countries accuse Rwanda of not only supporting but actively fighting for.[9][10][3] Rwanda and M23[11] have also accused the DRC of working together with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a racist Hutu Power paramilitary group that took part in the Rwandan Genocide.[12] Both the Congo and Rwanda deny they support the FDLR and M23, respectively,[9][13] contrary to research and reports that confirm both sides' allegations.[14][15][16] The MONUSCO peacekeeping mission maintains that it is not involved in the conflict,[17] but has been accused by Rwanda of taking sides.[18]

Timeline

2022

March 2022

Soon after the beginning of the offensive, the Democratic Republic of the Congo claimed that Rwanda supported the insurgent operation, a claim which was denied by the Rwandan government and the rebels.[2][19] International Crisis Group researcher Onesphore Sematumba argued that claims about Rwandan aid were believable. He suggested that the resurgence of M23 was probably influenced by Rwanda's wish to stop an infrastructure project which would link the DR Congo and Uganda.[19]

May 2022

Congolese forces said that they had captured two Rwandan soldiers that had been sent into the DRC in disguise in May. Both were released on 11 June.[20] On 23 May, FARDC troops reportedly shelled Musanze District, in the Northern Province of Rwanda, injuring several people.[21][22] Two days later, the DRC ordered the suspension of all RwandAir flights.[23] Rwanda condemned the action,[24] and RwandAir decided to retaliate by cancelling flights to Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma.[23]

In response to these conflicts, African Union Chairman and President of Senegal Macky Sall said on 29 May that the African Union was supporting a "peaceful resolution" to the tensions.[25]

June 2022

Mediation attempts continued into the following month; on 2 June, Angolan president João Lourenço attempted to mediate a resolution between the two countries in Luanda.[26] On 8 June, Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium, compared the situation in the eastern DRC to that of Ukraine in a visit to Kinshasa, additionally making comments implying his support for the Congo in its border crisis with Rwanda.[27]

On 9 June, the DRC said it had discovered that 500 Rwandan special forces had been sent into the Tshanzu region in North Kivu.[12][28] The day afterwards, the DRC accused Rwanda of firing rockets at a school in Biruma, North Kivu,[29] killing two children and seriously injuring another person of unspecified age. Rwanda also said that the Congo had fired rockets into Western Rwanda from the direction of Bunagana.[30][31]

The United Nations called for a ceasefire between the two countries,[32] but on 12 June, the DRC alleged that Rwanda intended to occupy the city of Bunagana,[9] a city that M23 forces would then capture one day later. The arrival of the M23 forced about 30,000 people to flee to Uganda. The DRC claimed that Rwandan forces were helping to occupy the city. The rebels claimed that taking Bunagana wasn't their goal, but decided to do it after repeated attacks by the Congolese army. They also said that they were open to doing direct negotiations with the government.[4] The DRC described the fall of Bunagana as "no less than an invasion" by Rwanda.[18] Two senior Congolese security sources claimed that Uganda was also helping the M23 in their offensive.[4] That same day, Rwanda charged the MONUSCO mission of taking sides in the conflict, which it said was allowing the Congo to carry out cross-border attacks in Rwanda.[18]

The heavy fighting also caused about 137 Congolese soldiers and 37 police officers to flee into Uganda, where they surrendered to Ugandan forces.[33][34] A Kinyarwanda-speaking lieutenant colonel was attacked and beaten by a mob in Kisangani.[35][36]

On 15 June, thousands of demonstrators organized a protest against Rwandan actions in Goma. The protest quickly turned into an anti-Rwandan riot, as an angry mob pillaged and attacked shops owned by Rwandans, seizing vehicles to check if Rwandans were inside.[37][38] Congolese riot police fired tear gas at protesters after some tried to enter a border checkpoint at the Rwandan border.[38] Several Rwandans in Goma responded by fleeing the country.[39] On the same day, the DRC suspended all "memoranda of understanding, agreements, and conventions concluded with Rwanda", demanding the withdrawal of all alleged Rwandan military personnel within the boundaries of the country.[40]

Just a few hours after Congolese security officials called for the DRC to cut all ties with Rwanda, a Congolese soldier crossed into Rubavu District carrying an AK-47[41] and was shot to death by a Rwanda National Police officer on 17 June. The Rwanda Defence Force said that the soldier was killed after he started shooting at civilians and security forces, and had injured two officers.[42][43] The Congo shut down the two countries' border in response to the officer's death, adding that it would open an investigation into the events.[44] As a vehicle brought back the officer's body to Goma, a crowd made up of hundreds of people followed the vehicle shouting "hero, hero" and describing President of Rwanda Paul Kagame as an assassin.[45][46] Some members of the crowd were documented yelling hateful slogans against Tutsis.[46]

July 2022

The Rwanda and DRC both came to an agreement held in Angola on 6 July to begin a "de-escalation process" between the two nations.[47] M23 leader Willy Ngoma ordered a new offensive the next day, asserting that "Only the M23 can sign the cease-fire with the government."[48]

August 2022

In early August, a report for the United Nations by independent experts was leaked to the press. The report provided evidence that Rwandan troops had entered Congolese territory to support M23, fighting alongside the insurgents. These findings led to calls by journalists and officials in the DRC for the UN to sanction Rwanda.[49][50]

October 2022

On 24 October, a Rwandan soldier running away from the Rwandan military's 401st battalion surrendered himself to a MONUSCO base in Kiwanja, saying that he had been sent to Rwanda as part of a military operation and begged the UN troops not to send him back to Rwanda. He was handed over to FARDC forces on 4 November.[14]

The Kivu Security Barometre, a project of the University of New York's Congo Study Group, found that satellite photos showing a battle from late October 2022 in Rugari, Rutshuru Territory revealed soldiers with insignias similar to those of the Rwandan Defence Force.[14]

November 2022

On 19 November, a Congolese soldier was shot dead as he crossed a border post near Rubavu District. The Rwanda Defence Force said that he had been killed after shooting at the guard towers. The FARDC confirmed that the soldier had been killed, identifying him as a recent recruit to the armed forces who went missing after he got lost during an army patrol. The DRC and Rwanda both say they are investigating the incident.[51][52]

At the 2022 Francophonie summit in Tunis, the DRC representative Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde refused to take part in a group photo with other Francophone leaders (including the Rwandan representative) as a protest against Rwanda's actions in the Congo.[51]

The East African Community demanded, on 24 November, for both a ceasefire between Rwanda and the Congo as well as ordering the M23 movement to withdraw from all occupied territories. The EAC stated it would lead a military intervention to quell the unrest in Kivu if the orders were not obeyed.[53] At a summit in Luanda, Angola, Rwanda and the DRC both agreed to hold a ceasefire which was officially enforced on 25 November at 16:00 GMT.[54] The M23 rejected the ceasefire, since they had not been invited to participate in the dialogue. A spokesman for the rebel group told Agence France-Presse that "M23 has seen the document on social media. … There was nobody [from the M23] in the summit, so it doesn't really concern us... Normally when there is a cease-fire it is between the two warring sides."[55]

December 2022

On 5 December, the DRC announced that 272 civilians were killed in a massacre in the eastern town of Kishishe, North Kivu. The Congolese government blamed the killings on the M23, in which M23 denied. An investigation was opened by the DRC's attorney general.[56]

2023

January 2023

On 19 January 2023, The Rwandan government claimed that the DRC had a "clear indication" that it was "preparing for war". Rwanda also claimed that the DRC had imported European mercenaries on their behalf.[57] Five days later, on 24 January, a Congolese Su-25 was damaged by MANPAD fire by Rwandan forces after Rwanda claimed it violated its airspace.[8] The attack, which happened between the cities of Gisenyi and Goma, was responded to with a statement that said, "The government considers this umpteenth attack by Rwanda as a deliberate action." It was also said that the plane suffered only minor damage.[58]

July 2023

The DRC claimed on 27 July that it had repelled an incursion by the Rwandan army north of Goma. According to local sources, a Rwandan soldier was killed in the clash.[59]

October 2023

On 18 October, the UN worries about the risk of a direct war between both countries.[60]

November 2023

On November 6th, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called out The President Of The DRC, And The President Of Uganda to de-escalate the conflict after a surge of rebel clashes in Kinshasa.[61][62]

On 21 November, according to the United States, the leaders of DR Congo and Rwanda agreed on steps to deescalate the tensions between both countries.[63] The following day, M23 rebels claimed that they captured Mweso Town.[64]

December 2023

In a speech made on 9 December, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi said that if Kagame "[wants] to behave like Adolf Hitler by having expansionist aims, I promise he will end up like Adolf Hitler", in reference to the German dictator responsible for the Holocaust. A Rwandan government spokesperson condemned this statement, accusing Tshisekedi of making "a loud and clear threat".[65]

On 20 December, Tshisekedi threatened to invade Rwanda, stating "I've had enough of invasions and M23 rebels backed by Kigali, Kagame out!"[66]

2024

January 2024

In the first incident of the year, a Congolese soldier was killed by Rwandan forces on January 16 in Rwanda's Rubavu District. The soldier allegedly opened fire on Rwandan soldiers before being shot dead. Two other Congolese soldiers were arrested in the same event.[67]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ DRC support for the FDLR was first alleged by Rwanda. A report by the United Nations has found that members of the DRC army have fought alongside the FDLR.[1]
  2. ↑ Rwandan involvement in the M23 offensive (2022) was first alleged by the DR Congo,[2] a claim which was later substantiated by the findings of researchers tasked by the United Nations.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Congo accuses Rwandan forces of attacking its border guards". Reuters. July 28, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "M23 rebels in DR Congo deny shooting down UN helicopter". BBC. March 30, 2022. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "East Africa leaders extend regional troop mandate in DR Congo". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Sabiti, Djaffar; Bujakera, Stanis (June 13, 2022). "Congo rebels seize eastern border town, army blames Rwanda". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  5. ↑ "DRC should protect Rwandans in Goma – Governor Habitegeko". The New Times | Rwanda. June 15, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Governor Habitegeko assures Rubavu border community of tight security". The New Times | Rwanda. June 12, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  7. ↑ Etahoben, Chief Bisong (November 7, 2022). "Rwandan Soldier Surrenders To UN In DR Congo". HumAngle Media. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Rwanda says DR Congo warplane violated airspace". The Peninsula. January 24, 2023. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "Congo says Rwandan forces supported latest rebel attacks as thousands flee". Reuters. June 13, 2022. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Rwanda backing M23 rebels in DRC: UN experts". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  11. ↑ "M23 Rebels Share Pictures of FDLR's Targeted Killings of Tutsis". ChimpReports. November 26, 2022. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  12. 1 2 "Congo accuses Rwanda of sending disguised troops across border". Reuters. June 9, 2022. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  13. ↑ "DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of backing rebels". France 24. June 5, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 Etahoben, Chief Bisong (November 7, 2022). "Rwandan Soldier Surrenders To UN In DR Congo". HumAngle Media. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  15. ↑ "DRC army backed rebel groups that abused civilians, says rights group". RFI. October 20, 2022. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  16. ↑ Bahati, Moise M. (November 24, 2022). "Rwanda: New Footage Suggests FDLR Fighting Alongside DR Congo Army". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  17. ↑ Anna, Cara (June 16, 2022). "EXPLAINER: Why Rwanda and Congo are sliding toward war again". National Post. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  18. 1 2 3 "M23 rebels seize key DRC town, Congolese military blames Rwanda". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  19. 1 2 Schwikowski, Martina (April 8, 2022). "M23 rebels resurface in DR Congo". DW. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Rwanda says two soldiers detained in Congo have been released". Reuters. June 11, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Rwanda says its territory shelled by Congo, requests probe". Reuters. May 23, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Rwanda accuses Congo of shelling its territory | DW | 23.05.2022". DW.COM. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  23. 1 2 "DR Congo halts RwandAir over alleged support for rebel group". RFI. May 28, 2022. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Rwandan Foreign Minister claims 'right to respond' amid tensions with DR Congo". Africanews. May 31, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Why do tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda persist? | DW | 31.05.2022". DW.COM. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  26. ↑ AfricaNews (June 2, 2022). "DRC: Hundreds protest over Rwanda's alleged rebel backing". Africanews. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  27. ↑ "The next hole in UK's Rwanda asylum plan: Conflict in Congo". POLITICO. June 15, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  28. ↑ "DRC accuses Rwanda of sending disguised soldiers across border". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  29. ↑ AfricaNews (June 15, 2022). "Civilians caught in the fighting between DRC's army and the M23 rebels". Africanews. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Congo, Rwanda accuse each other of fresh cross-border rocket strikes". Reuters. June 11, 2022. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  31. ↑ AfricaNews (June 11, 2022). "Rwanda says DRC launched two rockets into its soil". Africanews. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  32. ↑ "UN urges 'immediate' halt to cross-border clashes in eastern DRC". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  33. ↑ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "DR Congo accuses Rwanda of 'invasion' as rebels attack town | DW | 14.06.2022". DW.COM. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  34. ↑ "DR Congo accuses Rwanda of 'invasion' as rebels seize town". news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Tension RDC-Rwanda: Kinshasa tente de réprimer les dérives xénophobes". VOA (in French). Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  36. ↑ AfricaNews (June 16, 2022). "DRC: Authorities decide to fight "the hunt" for Rwandophones". Africanews. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  37. ↑ "DR Congo to combat sectarian 'stigmatisation' amid Rwanda tensions". France 24. June 16, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  38. 1 2 "Congo official: Rwanda will have war if it wants war". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Anti-Rwanda tensions boil over in eastern DR Congo city of Goma". France 24. June 15, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  40. ↑ Tasamba, James (June 15, 2022), DRC defense council orders gov't to suspend pacts with Rwanda, Anadolu Agency, archived from the original on June 19, 2022, retrieved June 19, 2022
  41. ↑ Sabiti, Djaffar; Bujakera, Stanis (June 17, 2022). "Congo soldier shot dead in Rwanda, rebels make gains in east". National Post. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Congo Defense Council Calls for Halt to Agreements With Rwanda". Bloomberg.com. June 16, 2022. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  43. ↑ Kamale, Jean-Yves; Ssuuna, Ignatius (June 17, 2022). "Rwanda says Congolese soldier crossed border and opened fire". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  44. ↑ "DRC closes Rwanda border after soldier is shot dead during attack". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  45. ↑ Kamale, Jean-Yves; Ssuuna, Ignatius (June 17, 2022). "Congo's president says Rwandans waging 'economic war'". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  46. 1 2 Sabiti, Djaffar; Bujakera, Stanis (June 17, 2022). "Congolese soldier killed in Rwanda, fighting with rebels picks up". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  47. ↑ "DRC, Rwanda agree to end rebel violence and normalise relations". RFI. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  48. ↑ "East Congo clashes resume after de-escalation agreement with Rwanda". Reuters. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Tempête des tropiques : " Soutien militaire au M23, l'ONU enfonce le Rwanda "". RadioOkapi. August 5, 2022. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  50. ↑ "Rwanda Inside DRC, Aiding M23 - Report". VOA. August 4, 2022. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  51. 1 2 "Rwandan troops kill Congolese soldier who crossed border". Reuters. November 19, 2022. Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Rwanda forces kill 'unidentified' DRC soldier after he crosses border". The East African. November 19, 2022. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  53. ↑ "East African leaders demand 'immediate ceasefire' in eastern DRC". RFI. November 24, 2022. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  54. ↑ "M23 rebels 'not really concerned' by Rwanda-DR Congo ceasefire deal". France 24. November 24, 2022. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  55. ↑ "Congolese Give Cautious Welcome to Deal on Rebel Violence". VOA. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  56. ↑ Lorgerie, Paul (December 6, 2022). "Congolese government ups toll in massacre to 272 civilians". Reuters. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  57. ↑ "European mercenary question in the DR Congo conflict". The East African. January 22, 2023. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  58. ↑ Anne Soy; Cecilia Macaulay (January 25, 2023). "Rwanda-DR Congo tension: Shooting of plane an 'act of war'". BBC News. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  59. ↑ AfricaNews (July 28, 2023). "New security incident on the DRC-Rwanda border - Congolese army". Africanews. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  60. ↑ AfricaNews (October 18, 2023). "The UN worries about a risk of "direct confrontation" between DRC and Rwanda". Africanews. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  61. ↑ "US Blinken urges calm from Rwanda, DR Congo leaders as fighting displaces millions". France 24. November 8, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  62. ↑ Presse, AFP-Agence France. "Blinken Urges Calm From Rwanda, DR Congo Leaders". www.barrons.com. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  63. ↑ "US says Rwanda, DR Congo leaders agree on steps to de-escalate". France 24. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  64. ↑ AfricaNews (November 23, 2023). "DRC: Fear mounts among residents as M23 rebels claim to capture new town in the east". Africanews. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  65. ↑ "DR Congo President Tshisekedi compares Rwanda counterpart Kagame to Hitler". BBC News. December 9, 2023.
  66. ↑ "War drums beat in DRC: Tshisekedi threatens to invade Rwanda". The Citizen. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  67. ↑ Ssuuna, Ignatius (January 16, 2024). "Rwanda says it killed a Congolese soldier who crossed the border, heightening tensions". AP News. Retrieved January 16, 2024.

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