The UN Security Council has unanimously demanded Rwanda withdraw its forces from eastern Congo and extended the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, for one year. This comes as fighting escalates despite a recent U.S.-mediated peace deal. The Council condemned the offensive by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and demanded Kigali end its support.
The resolution follows M23’s claim it withdrew from the strategic city of Uvira, which it seized last week. Congo’s government dismissed the move as “staged,” insisting rebels remain. U.S. deputy ambassador Jennifer Locetta stated, “M23 must immediately withdraw at least 75 kilometers (47 miles) away from Uvira.”
The conflict involves over 100 armed groups in mineral-rich eastern Congo, displacing more than 7 million people. MONUSCO, with about 11,500 personnel, faces public frustration and a planned drawdown despite ongoing violence.