By Horn Africa News
A confidential United Nations report has accused Rwanda and Uganda of significantly contributing to the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighting a deepening humanitarian crisis and raising concerns about regional stability.
According to the yet-to-be-published report, compiled by a panel of UN experts tasked with monitoring the security situation in the DRC, Rwanda is allegedly playing a leading role in directing the operations of the M23 rebel group. The report states that Rwanda has taken over the “command and control” functions within the rebel organization, effectively guiding its military and strategic decisions. This level of involvement, if confirmed, would represent a serious violation of international law and the sovereignty of the DRC.
At the same time, Uganda is reported to have significantly increased its military presence in the eastern DRC. The UN experts allege that Uganda has “doubled” the number of troops deployed in the region, raising questions about Kampala’s intentions and its role in the ongoing violence. While Uganda claims that its forces are operating under bilateral security arrangements to combat rebel groups, the UN report suggests that its actions may be contributing to worsening instability and human rights abuses.
The report documents grave violations of international humanitarian law by all parties involved in the conflict, including extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and forced displacement of civilians. The authors warn that the actions of both Rwanda and Uganda are not only prolonging the conflict but also facilitating atrocities against civilians caught in the crossfire.
Submitted to the UN Security Council in May 2025, the report has not yet been officially released to the public, but its findings have already stirred diplomatic tension. News agency Reuters, which reviewed parts of the confidential document, reported that the UN experts accuse both Kigali and Kampala of exploiting the volatile security situation in eastern Congo to pursue their own strategic and economic interests.
These revelations come at a critical time. Just last month, under the mediation of the United States, Rwanda and the DRC signed a peace agreement aimed at reducing hostilities and paving the way for reconciliation. However, the contents of the UN report now threaten to undermine the credibility of that accord and derail diplomatic progress.
The report also casts a shadow over ongoing peace negotiations being held in Qatar, where representatives from the DRC government and the M23 rebels are engaged in fragile dialogue efforts. Analysts warn that continued foreign interference could doom the talks and push the region into even deeper conflict.
Eastern Congo, long plagued by armed groups and competition over mineral resources, is now facing one of its worst humanitarian crises in years. According to humanitarian agencies, thousands of civilians have been killed or displaced in recent months, with entire communities forced to flee their homes due to ongoing clashes.
As international pressure mounts, the UN is expected to publicly release the report in the coming weeks. Its publication could prompt renewed calls for sanctions or other diplomatic measures against those found to be fueling the conflict.
For now, the people of eastern DRC remain trapped in a cycle of violence, with little hope for peace as regional powers continue to pursue their own agendas.
