A confidential United Nations report has concluded that Rwanda exercises full command and control over the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The document, seen by Reuters, details how Rwandan troops have trained M23 recruits and supplied them with advanced military systems “capable of neutralizing air assets,” giving the rebels a significant tactical advantage over the Congolese army.

According to the experts, Rwanda's involvement goes beyond logistical support. The report states that Kigali made key strategic decisions, including the instruction for M23 to withdraw from Walikale in April, further demonstrating its direct operational oversight.

Arms Embargo Violations and Rebel Expansion

The UN report accuses Rwanda of “flagrant and systematic violations” of an international arms embargo. The experts conservatively estimate that up to 6,000 Rwandan troops were active in Congo’s North and South Kivu provinces during the M23 offensive, with at least 1,000 to 1,500 still operating in rebel-held areas at the time of the report’s drafting in April.

M23 forces seized the major cities of Goma and Bukavu earlier this year and advanced close to Kisangani, Congo's fourth-largest city, threatening to ignite a wider regional conflict.

The report also links Rwanda to a likely missile attack in January on a UN peacekeeping convoy that killed one and injured four peacekeepers, suggesting the missile was launched from a Rwandan military position.

Kigali's Justification and UN Rebuttal

Rwanda has long denied aiding M23, claiming its military presence in Congo is a defensive response to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu militia linked to the 1994 genocide. However, the UN panel rejected this reasoning, stating that Rwanda's involvement is driven by the intent to “conquer additional territories” rather than eliminate the FDLR threat.

Kigali has not officially responded to the findings. A Rwandan government spokesperson and the country’s UN mission declined to comment.

Regional and International Response

The growing crisis has prompted international mediation. On Friday, Rwandan and Congolese foreign ministers signed a peace agreement in Washington, facilitated by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump warned both parties of “very severe penalties, financial and otherwise” if the terms are violated.

Qatar is also leading a separate mediation initiative involving M23 representatives and the Congolese government.

The report further accuses Kinshasa of violating sanctions by arming FDLR fighters and pro-government militia groups known as Wazalendo. These militias were allegedly funded and equipped by the Congolese government, raising additional concerns about the conflict’s escalation.

Strategic Stakes: Minerals and Power

Control over eastern Congo holds enormous geopolitical and economic significance. The region is rich in high-value minerals including tantalum, cobalt, copper, gold, and lithium — critical components in global tech and energy industries.

The UN’s revelations underscore the broader stakes of the conflict, as foreign-backed rebel movements and illicit arms transfers threaten both the sovereignty of the Congolese state and the stability of Central Africa.