UN Urges Rwanda to Withdraw Forces from Eastern Congo

The United Nations Security Council has called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as fighting continues to intensify in the region despite a US-brokered peace agreement.

In a unanimous resolution adopted on Friday, the Security Council strongly condemned recent attacks by the M23 rebel group, which is backed by Rwanda, and demanded an immediate end to Kigali’s support for the militants.

The council also renewed the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo, known as MONUSCO, extending its operations for another year.

Under the renewed mandate, approximately 11,500 UN peacekeepers will remain deployed across the country to help stabilize the conflict-hit eastern provinces, where violence has escalated in recent weeks.

The decision comes amid conflicting claims over control of key areas in eastern Congo. Earlier this week, the M23 group said it had withdrawn from the strategic city of Uvira, which it captured last week. 

However, following pressure from the United States, the Congolese government stated that the withdrawal was staged and that rebel fighters remained present in the city.

Eastern Congo has long been plagued by armed conflict involving dozens of rebel groups competing for territory and resources. The latest escalation threatens regional stability and has exacerbated one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.

The Security Council reiterated its call for respect for Congo’s sovereignty and urged all parties to engage constructively in peace efforts aimed at ending the violence and protecting civilians.