Regional Tensions Flare at Museveni-Led Summit: DRC and Rwanda Trade Blame Over Security Crisis

Get insights into the critical summit where regional powers clash over conflict resolution strategies and the future of peace in the DRC and neighboring countries.

ENTEBBE – President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda convened an Extraordinary Summit last week to address the volatile security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), providing a stage for a sharp diplomatic confrontation between representatives of the DRC and Rwanda. The summit comes at a “critical moment” for the Great Lakes region, as both nations presented conflicting narratives regarding the presence of armed groups and the path toward sustainable peace.

DRC Rejects M23 Withdrawal as “Tactical Movement”

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo opened with a stark warning, stating that hostile acts have reached a level that creates a “real risk of regional conflagration” that the international community cannot ignore. Central to the DRC’s grievance is the alleged presence of Rwandan forces and the activities of the AFC/M23 rebel group.

The DRC representative dismissed recent reports of an M23 withdrawal from Uvira, labeling the claims as inconsistent with observations on the ground. “What we expect is neither a redeployment nor a tactical movement, but the effective, complete, and unequivocal withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the entire territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Felix Tshisekedi stated, calling for verified actions rather than “declarations of circumstances”.

The DRC further signaled its support for the new MONUSCO mandate adopted on December 20, which prioritizes civilian protection and maintains a “robust and proactive” posture, including targeted operations against armed groups. They also called upon the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to operationalize surveillance mechanisms to verify the total withdrawal of “non-invited” foreign forces.

Rwanda Points to FDLR and “Internal Failures”

In a direct rebuttal, the Rwandan Minister of interior Dr. Vincent Biruta—speaking on behalf of President Paul Kagame—argued that the crisis is fueled by the non-implementation of existing agreements and the DRC’s failure to address the root causes of the conflict. Rwanda maintained that the Doha and Washington frameworks remain the most viable paths to peace, provided all parties honor their obligations.

A “key concern” highlighted by Rwanda is the continued activity of the FDLR, a genocidal group that Rwanda claims is supported by DRC forces. The Rwandan representative argued that the “externalization” of the DRC’s internal problems only serves to delay solutions.

“What is required here is political will and genuine commitment to implement what has already been agreed upon,” Minister Biruta stated, specifically calling for the neutralization of the FDLR and a more balanced monitoring of ceasefires. Rwanda also raised concerns regarding “invited forces” in the DRC, suggesting that while some target regional threats, others may be supporting groups like the FDLR.

The Path Forward: Diplomatic Frameworks vs. Sovereignty

Despite the heated rhetoric, both nations expressed a formal commitment to diplomatic routes, specifically the Doha and Washington frameworks and the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement.

DRC emphasized that while they are attached to regional dialogue, peace cannot be built at the expense of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. They called for the summit to issue a “clear and unambiguous condemnation” of territorial violations, asserting that the stability of the DRC is inseparable from the stability of the entire region.

Rwanda, conversely, urged the international community to hold all parties accountable to signed agreements and warned against creating new peace mechanisms that might serve as “opportunities for spoilers to divert from agreed priorities”.