DR Congo Seeks Russia’s Help to End Rwanda Dispute

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to support efforts to resolve the country’s prolonged conflict with neighbouring Rwanda.

Tshisekedi said he “absolutely” wanted the help of the permanent United Nations Security Council member “in the search for peace” with Rwanda, during talks with Putin at the end of a Russia-Africa summit. 

Eastern DR Congo has experienced more than three decades of armed conflict, with the M23 rebel group emerging as a major threat to the government since 2021. 

Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing the group, a claim Kigali has repeatedly denied.

The two countries signed a United States-mediated peace agreement in December, but clashes have continued in eastern DR Congo.

Tshisekedi’s administration has consistently called for Rwandan troops to leave Congolese territory. 

Although Rwanda denies deploying forces to support M23, UN experts have reported continued assistance from Rwandan troops to the armed group.

Kigali, in turn, wants DR Congo to take action against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group founded by former Rwandan Hutu officials linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi population. The militia remains active in eastern DR Congo.

During his meeting with Putin, Tshisekedi also requested Russia’s support at the UN Security Council for the renewal of the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo, MONUSCO, which is due to expire in December.

Russia has been working to expand its military and economic presence across Africa in recent years.