Rwanda rejects blame for eastern DR Congo conflict amid US sanctions

Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe defended Kigali against accusations of fuelling instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), arguing that the country’s political and security crisis must be addressed by Congolese actors.

Speaking to AFP on the sidelines of a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on Wednesday, Nduhungirehe said Rwanda should not repeatedly be held responsible for developments in its neighbour.

His remarks came as the United States prepared to impose sanctions on Rwanda’s defence ministry and a Rwandan financial institution over alleged support for the M23 armed group. Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing M23.

M23 and Rwandan forces seized large areas of eastern DRC in a 2025 offensive. Fighting has continued despite a US-brokered peace agreement signed by the two countries in December 2025. UN experts say Rwanda has deployed thousands of troops in eastern DRC and exercises significant control over M23.

Nduhungirehe also rejected Kinshasa’s portrayal of former Congolese president Joseph Kabila as a Rwandan proxy after his reported alignment with the M23-linked coalition, saying the issue should be settled politically among Congolese parties.

Separately, Nduhungirehe confirmed ongoing talks with Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands on a proposed migrant return hub in Rwanda for people who have no right to remain in the European Union.

He declined to provide further details, describing the discussions as sensitive and stressing the importance of treating migrants with dignity. An agreement could be signed as early as November, according to people briefed on the talks, although no deal has been formally announced.