Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, has called on Rwanda to “immediately withdraw all Rwandan Defense Forces personnel and equipment from the Democratic Republic of Congo, including surface-to-air missile systems, and cease disabling the global positioning system (GPS).”
In a statement released on Friday, Miller also urged the M23 rebel movement to “cease hostilities and withdraw from their positions” in the North Kivu province.
Additionally, he reiterated a call for the Congolese government to “end any cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR),” an armed group subject to U.S. and UN sanctions.
Since late 2021, eastern DR Congo has experienced renewed violence from the M23, known as the “March 23 Movement.”
The rebel group, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, has captured significant swathes of territory from the Congolese army and allied militias.
A ceasefire agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, reached on 4 August, initially brought a measure of stability.
However, the M23 has since resumed attacks in North Kivu province, reigniting tensions and undermining fragile peace efforts.
Amid this renewed escalation, the foreign ministers of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo convened last Tuesday, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the ceasefire.
The meeting underscored the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further violence in the region, which has long been a flashpoint for conflict fueled by competing interests and complex regional dynamics.
