KIGALI — Rwanda has renewed accusations that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is supporting an armed group operating from Congolese territory, saying the alleged cooperation represents a continuing security threat to Rwanda.
President Paul Kagame said Rwanda remains concerned about the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in eastern DRC. Kigali accuses Congolese authorities of providing weapons and other support to the group and of incorporating some of its members into Congolese forces. Rwanda says the FDLR poses a direct threat to its national security.
Kagame said Rwanda’s position is based partly on information obtained from former FDLR members, including individuals who returned to Rwanda voluntarily and others who were captured. According to Kagame, their accounts described continued assistance to the armed group from Congolese authorities.
The allegations come amid the wider and increasingly complex conflict in eastern DRC, where the AFC/M23 armed movement has seized significant territory. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing M23 and deploying troops into Congolese territory, allegations Kigali has denied.
The two governments have effectively presented opposing security narratives. Rwanda says its military involvement is linked to the threat posed by the FDLR, while the DRC argues that Rwanda’s support for M23 is a major driver of instability in the east.
International pressure on Rwanda has increased this year. In March 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force and senior Rwandan military officials, accusing them of supporting M23 and calling for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from eastern DRC. Rwanda rejected the measures, saying they misrepresented the realities of the conflict.
Despite diplomatic efforts and peace initiatives, tensions remain high in the Great Lakes region. The competing accusations over M23 and the FDLR continue to complicate efforts to establish a lasting ceasefire and political settlement.
The latest dispute highlights the central challenge facing peace efforts: Rwanda wants guarantees that the FDLR threat will be addressed, while the DRC and its allies continue to demand an end to Rwanda’s alleged military and political support for M23.
