A leaked United Nations report has accused Rwanda and Uganda of exploiting and escalating the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The report, submitted to the UN Security Council in May, alleges that Rwanda is providing “critical support” to the M23 rebels, which take “instructions” from Rwanda’s government and intelligence services. The report also accuses Uganda of unilaterally doubling its military presence in the DRC, which has raised questions about Kampala’s motives.
The conflict in the DRC has been ongoing for decades, with various armed groups vying for control of the country’s rich natural resources. M23, a rebel group backed by Rwanda, has been embroiled in conflict with the Congolese army and its allied militias known as Wazalendo. The UN report notes that Rwanda’s support for M23 has enabled the group to make rapid advances, including the seizure of Goma and Bukavu, the capitals of North Kivu and South Kivu, respectively.
The UN report alleges that Rwanda’s government and intelligence services are in “command and control” of M23’s operations, rendering Rwanda liable for the group’s actions. The report also notes that Rwanda’s conduct meets the threshold for international sanctions. Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing M23, with President Paul Kagame criticizing the UN experts as biased and likening them to an arsonist who torches a house but also acts as both judge and prosecutor.
The report details how minerals, including coltan, were looted from mines in towns seized by M23, then smuggled into Rwanda. “Once in Rwanda, the looted minerals were mixed with local production, effectively laundering them into the downstream supply chain under the guise of Rwandan origin,” the report said. Part of the minerals smuggled to Rwanda were purchased by Boss Mining Solutions Inc, represented by Eddy Habimana, who has previously been implicated in the illegal trafficking of minerals from the DRC.
The report also outlines violations of international law by Uganda, which has unilaterally doubled its military presence in the DRC. The Ugandan army, which has conducted joint operations with the Congolese military against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel movement with origins in Uganda, “unilaterally” increased its troop presence in eastern DRC. The deployment, according to the panel of experts, raised questions about Kampala’s motives, particularly given past allegations of UPDF support to M23.
Uganda’s ambassador to the UN, Adonia Ayebare, wrote on X that the report “contains falsehoods” and attempts to undermine the joint military operation with the DRC. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s army commander, also posted on X, saying, “While the UN so-called ‘Group of Experts’ writes biased reports against us, we (UPDF) continue to save the lives of human beings in our region.”
The DRC government has also been criticized for its reliance on irregular Wazalendo groups and the FDLR, a militia group under UN sanctions, as proxies in its fight against M23 and the Rwandan army. The report notes that this alliance has worsened the security and human rights situation, contributing to reprisal attacks, child recruitment, and sexual violence.
The report also documented a pattern of grave international humanitarian law and rights violations, including looting, sexual violence, and killings, by retreating Congolese soldiers and Wazalendo fighters. “These abuses occurred in a climate of impunity, in the general context of a weakening chain of command,” it said.
The international community has expressed concerns about the escalating violence in the DRC. The US-brokered deal between the DRC and Rwanda last month does not include M23, but it stipulates that all parties should comply with the Qatar peace process. The deal also highlights that the Congolese government should facilitate the disengagement of the FDLR, which was established by Hutus linked to the killings of Tutsis in the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
The UN report’s findings risk putting a damper on the cautious optimism garnered by the signing of the peace deal and ongoing Qatar-mediated peace talks between Kinshasa and M23. The report’s accusations against Rwanda and Uganda have sparked a backlash, with both countries denying the allegations and criticizing the UN experts as biased.
In conclusion, the UN report’s findings highlight the complex web of conflict and exploitation in the DRC, involving various armed groups, neighboring countries, and international actors. The report’s accusations against Rwanda and Uganda have sparked a heated debate, with both countries denying the allegations and criticizing the UN experts.