US Warns Rwanda Over DRC Violations, Citing Breach of Trump-Brokered Peace Deal
Eugine Wabwile
3 min read
TANDAO MEDIA.
The United States has issued a stern warning to Rwanda over its alleged military involvement in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), accusing Kigali of violating the recently signed Washington Accords—a peace agreement brokered by President Donald Trump and signed on December 4, 2025.
The accord, signed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi in Washington, D.C., was witnessed by several African leaders, including Kenyan President Dr William Ruto. It aimed to de-escalate tensions and foster cooperation between the two neighboring nations after years of conflict in the mineral-rich eastern DRC.
However, just ten days after the signing, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio took to social media to condemn Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which has seized several strategic towns in the region, including the key port city of Uvira near the Burundian border.“Rwanda’s actions in eastern DRC are a clear violation of the Washington Accords signed by President Trump,” Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The United States will take action to ensure promises made to the President are kept.”
The U.S. accusation comes amid growing international concern over the resurgence of violence in the DRC. At a United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday, U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz accused Rwanda’s military of providing direct support to M23 rebels, including logistics, training, and combat assistance. Waltz claimed that approximately 5,000 Rwandan troops are operating alongside 7,000 M23 fighters in Congolese territory.
UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix warned that the escalating conflict poses “a serious risk of the progressive fragmentation of the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly the Eastern part.”Rwanda has denied the allegations. Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe criticized what he described as international double standards, asserting that the global community had been fully briefed on the situation and possessed independent verification capabilities.“Rwanda is surprised to note that even though the international community was fully briefed and has its own means of investigation, voices have suddenly woken up only when the AFC/M23 decided to retaliate,” Nduhungirehe said.
Rwanda’s ambassador to the UN, Martin Ngoga, also rejected claims that his country was targeting neighboring Burundi, following accusations by Burundian Ambassador Zephyrin Maniratanga that Rwandan forces had bombed Burundian territory.“Rwanda is not waging war against the Republic of Burundi and has no intention of doing that,” Ngoga stated.Meanwhile, DRC’s Foreign Minister Therese Katukwamba Wagner called for sanctions against Rwanda and criticized the UN Security Council for its “lack of action” in addressing the crisis.
The Washington Accords were hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough at the time of signing, with President Trump hosting Kagame, Tshisekedi, and other African leaders at the Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace. The recent developments now cast a shadow over the agreement’s future and raise questions about the viability of U.S-led peace efforts in the region.
