Washington : U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Rwanda of violating the Washington-brokered peace accord and reigniting the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rubio said the United States would take action to ensure that commitments made by regional leaders are upheld.
According to reports, the security situation in the DRC deteriorated just days after the U.S.-mediated agreement was signed in Washington. M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda have advanced into several areas of South Kivu province. Heavy fighting has also been reported in Uvira, a town near the Burundi border.
The renewed violence has dashed hopes raised by the peace agreement between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi. At the signing ceremony, U.S. President Donald Trump said both leaders had expressed a genuine commitment to restoring peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, the situation has since rapidly worsened. Congolese authorities have accused Kigali of fueling the fighting and breaching the terms of the accord, further straining already tense relations between the two neighbors.
