UN Report Alleges Rwandan Command over M23 Rebels and Embargo Violations

Edited By: Africa Eye with (Reuters)

A confidential United Nations report has found that Rwanda has exercised significant command and control over the M23 rebel group during its military campaign in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to experts, Kigali provided training, advanced weaponry, and strategic direction, giving the rebels a decisive advantage over Congolese forces.

The report, seen by Reuters, states that Rwandan forces supplied M23 with military equipment, including high-tech systems capable of neutralizing aerial assets. UN investigators estimate that up to 6,000 Rwandan troops were active in Congo’s North and South Kivu provinces during the offensive.

M23 seized key eastern cities, including Goma and Bukavu, in early 2025. Despite Kigali’s longstanding denial of supporting M23, the report suggests that Rwanda’s actions go beyond self-defense and point to broader strategic objectives, including territorial control and resource access.

UN experts also accuse Rwanda of “flagrant and systematic” violations of the international arms embargo. A missile attack in January 2025 that killed a UN peacekeeper and injured four others was reportedly launched from a Rwandan military position.

The report adds that rebel leaders were hosted and trained at Rwandan military facilities, including the Gabiro Training Centre and camps in Nasho and Gako. It claims that decisions on territorial advances and retreats were taken with direct input from Rwandan authorities, reinforcing the claim of operational subordination.

Meanwhile, the DRC government is also accused of violating sanctions by supporting the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) and Wazalendo militia with logistics and funds.

Efforts to de-escalate tensions continue. In Washington, Rwandan and Congolese foreign ministers signed a peace agreement in the presence of U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump, who warned of strict penalties if the deal is breached. Qatar is reportedly facilitating parallel mediation efforts.

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo responded to the report, rejecting its conclusions and reaffirming Kigali’s commitment to regional peace and defense against persistent threats from FDLR-linked groups.

As of April 2025, several thousand Rwandan troops remained positioned along the border, ready for further deployment, the report concluded.