Rwanda's Ambassador to the United Nations, Martin Karoli Ngoga, addressed the UN Security Council on September 29, 2026, highlighting concerns over the Democratic Republic of Congo's (RDC) alleged collaboration with militia groups opposed to the Rwandan government. Ngoga stated that RDC's military, FARDC, has been working with groups including the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), which has a history of fighting against the Rwandan government.
According to Ngoga, this collaboration is not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger pattern that has been ongoing since January 2026. He cited intelligence reports indicating that FARDC has been providing military equipment and supplies to these militia groups. In February and March 2026, FARDC allegedly transported ammunition, guns, and food to areas controlled by FDLR in Walikale, North Kivu province.
The FDLR is one of the groups mentioned in the Washington agreement, which aims to address the conflict in eastern RDC. The agreement includes a commitment from RDC and Rwanda to work together to neutralize FDLR and other armed groups. However, Ngoga expressed concerns that RDC's actions are not in line with this agreement, citing the group's continued support for FDLR and other militia groups.
Ngoga also mentioned two other militia groups, the Conseil National pour la Révolution et la Démocratie (CNRD) and the Forces de Libération Nationale (FLN), which have been active in eastern RDC. FLN, in particular, gained notoriety in Rwanda in 2019 for its attacks in the southern part of the country. These groups' activities have raised concerns about the security situation in the region.
The conflict in eastern RDC has been ongoing for years, with various armed groups vying for control. The M23 rebel group, backed by neighboring countries, has been a key player in the conflict. Rwanda has expressed concerns that the security situation in RDC has implications for its own national security.
Ngoga called for a more effective mechanism to monitor and verify the implementation of the Washington agreement. He suggested that a new approach, involving Rwanda, RDC, and the United States, could help to address the challenges in the region. The goal is to establish a reliable system to track progress and ensure that both parties are fulfilling their commitments.
The situation in eastern RDC remains volatile, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to find a lasting solution. Rwanda's allegations against RDC highlight the complexities of the conflict and the need for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of the violence.
Key points
- Rwanda accuses RDC of collaborating with militia groups opposed to the Rwandan government.
- The alleged collaboration is seen as a threat to Rwanda's national security.
- A new monitoring mechanism is proposed to verify the implementation of the Washington agreement.
