By Lucy Adautin
A United Nations (UN) report on Monday, alleged that the Ugandan Army has been providing assistance to the M23 rebel group active in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This development comes amid escalating violence in the region, which has sparked fears of a potential large-scale conflict.
Uganda has denied these claims, emphasizing its close collaboration with the Congolese government forces. The UN has long pointed fingers at Rwanda for supporting the M23 rebels, who have repeatedly captured significant portions of eastern Congo’s resource-rich territories. Rwanda has consistently refuted these allegations.
For decades, Congo has been mired in conflict. Uganda and Rwanda initially invaded in 1996 and 1998, citing the need to defend against local militias. Currently, Uganda is engaged in joint operations with Congolese forces against a Ugandan rebel group.
Since 2022, the Tutsi-led M23 rebels have renewed their insurgency in eastern Congo. Ugandan troops were part of a regional force deployed in November 2022 to monitor a ceasefire with the M23. However, Congolese officials demanded the withdrawal of this force last year, calling it ineffective.
The UN Security Council’s Group of Experts reported, “Since the resurgence of the M23 crisis, Uganda has not prevented the presence of M23 and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) troops on its territory or passage through it.”
This report, submitted to the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee in April and to Security Council members in June, also claimed that Ugandan military and intelligence officials have actively supported M23 leaders, including the sanctioned Sultani Makenga, who have traveled to Uganda for meetings.
Ugandan armed forces deputy spokesman Deo Akiiki dismissed the report, arguing that it falsely accuses the Ugandan army at a time when their relationship with Congolese forces (FARDC) is at its peak. “It would be irrational for us to destabilize the very area we are working hard to stabilize,” Akiiki said.
The UN report also noted that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan soldiers were fighting alongside M23 against the Congolese army. The experts asserted that Rwanda’s control over M23 operations makes it complicit in the actions of the M23.
Responding, Rwanda accused Congo of financing and cooperating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group that has attacked Tutsis in both countries.
“The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has the capability to deescalate the situation if they choose to, but until then Rwanda will continue to defend itself,” said Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo.
