Rwanda blames DRC for backing militias behind Congo violence

Rwanda has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of enabling the very violence it blames on others, pointing to Kinshasa’s support for local militias as the true cause of the conflict in eastern Congo.

Kigali says that instead of protecting its own people, the Congolese government is funding and arming groups responsible for widespread killings, including attacks near the Rwandan border.

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo dismissed the DRC’s claims of Rwandan involvement as a diversion from deeper governance issues.

"The Congolese Foreign Minister’s outrage is misplaced and cannot mask the Congolese government’s failure to protect its own citizens, not against Rwanda, but against the Congolese state itself," she said.

Makolo warned that Congolese forces, working alongside militias like the VDP/Wazalendo and the FDLR, are carrying out deadly attacks in places such as Beni, Ituri, and Goma.

"Who is really killing? The victims are Congolese, as are the perpetrators. It is not Rwandans who are killing in Beni, Ituri, Kwamputh, Goma, Minembwe, or Uvira, but Congolese armed groups , the VDP/Wazalendo and their allies, the FARDC/FDLR supported and financed by the DRC government," she said.

She also claimed that Congolese airstrikes are being launched not only against civilians within Congo but across the border into Rwanda.

"There are no Rwandan bombs. The Congolese army is indiscriminately bombing civilians — even across the border into Rwandan territory. Who is bombing Minembwe? The FARDC and VDP/Wazalendo, targeting the Banyamulenge,  the Congolese people it refuses to name," Makolo said.

Makolo added that the DRC has broken multiple peace deals signed in Nairobi, Luanda, and Addis Ababa, accusing it of sabotaging every attempt at peace.

"Who is violating the peace agreements? The Congolese government. At every stage, it is the DRC that is sabotaging peace efforts by refusing dialogue and recruiting foreign mercenaries," she said.

Despite these tensions, Rwanda remains part of peacekeeping missions globally and insists it is being unfairly blamed.

Diplomatic efforts continue, with the United States engaging both sides on a new peace proposal aimed at ending years of bloodshed in the region.

Rwanda has also raised concerns about past comments from President Tshisekedi, including a public call to "change the regime in Kigali."

Kigali views this as a direct threat to national security and an example of growing hostility from its neighbor.