US Condemns Rwanda After Deal Collapse

A peace agreement hailed by Donald Trump as a breakthrough for central Africa has rapidly fallen apart after M23 rebels seized the key eastern Congolese city of Uvira. The development has drawn sharp criticism from the United States, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing Rwanda of breaching the accord.

In a public statement, Rubio described Rwanda’s actions as a “clear violation” of commitments made during last week’s high-profile signing ceremony in Washington. He added that the US would take steps to ensure promises made to President Trump were honoured, though no specific measures were outlined.

A Deal Celebrated, Then Undermined

The agreement, signed by DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, was presented by Trump as “historic” and a milestone for African peace efforts. Yet within days, fighting intensified on the ground.

The M23 rebel group announced it had “fully liberated” Uvira, a major urban centre in South Kivu province. Western governments and the United Nations say the group operates with backing from Rwanda, an accusation Kigali continues to deny despite UN findings that it exercises significant influence over the rebels.

Why Uvira Matters

Uvira is not just another city. With a population estimated at around 700,000, it was the Congolese government’s last major military hub in South Kivu. Its fall represents a serious strategic loss for Kinshasa.

Analysts say the capture of Uvira gives the M23 greater leverage in negotiations and allows it to establish parallel governance structures, as it has done elsewhere in eastern DR Congo.

Timing Raises Eyebrows

The rebel offensive began days before Tshisekedi and Kagame travelled to Washington to finalise the deal. According to regional expert Prof Jason Stearns, the move appears designed to strengthen the M23’s hand at the negotiating table.

“This directly contradicts the spirit of the talks,” he said, noting that the advance risks embarrassing the US and undermining diplomatic credibility. “It’s difficult to see what long-term strategic benefit that brings.”

Burundi Drawn Deeper Into the Crisis

The capture of Uvira also has serious implications for Burundi, which has deployed thousands of troops in eastern DR Congo to support the Congolese army against the M23.

Uvira lies just 27km from Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, and has served as a key supply and transit route. With the city now under rebel control, analysts say Burundi’s logistical access has effectively been cut off.

Aid agencies report that around 50,000 civilians have fled into Burundi in the past week, compounding humanitarian pressure on a country already struggling with fuel shortages and limited foreign currency reserves.

Military Edge and External Support

The M23’s recent gains follow earlier victories this year, including the capture of Goma and Bukavu, the capitals of North and South Kivu respectively. Regional forces deployed to support DR Congo were unable to halt the advances.

Experts estimate the M23 fields more than 10,000 fighters and say its success is partly due to discipline, advanced coordination, and the effective use of drones. Several analysts believe additional Rwandan troops were involved in the Uvira offensive.

Peace Process in Jeopardy

The United States has placed responsibility for the renewed violence squarely on Rwanda. Addressing the UN Security Council, US Ambassador Mike Waltz warned that instead of stabilising the region, Kigali’s actions were pushing it closer to wider war.

A joint statement from the US, the European Union and several European governments called for an immediate halt to offensive operations by both the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force, and demanded the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory.

Conflicting Accusations

Rwanda has rejected claims that its troops are operating in South Kivu. Its foreign ministry instead accused Congolese and Burundian forces of bombing villages near the Rwandan border and claimed Burundi had amassed nearly 20,000 troops in support of DR Congo’s army.

Kigali also questioned Tshisekedi’s commitment to peace, suggesting he attended the Washington signing under pressure rather than genuine intent. DR Congo’s government has levelled similar accusations at Kagame, saying he deliberately sabotaged the accord.

Can Peace Still Be Reached?

Analysts say the outlook is bleak. The Trump-backed deal relied on DR Congo launching operations against the FDLR militia, a group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Given recent military setbacks, experts doubt Kinshasa has the capacity to do so.

The agreement also envisioned deeper economic cooperation between DR Congo and Rwanda, including mining, infrastructure and energy projects aimed at attracting US investment. With fighting ongoing, those plans now appear stalled.

A parallel peace effort led by Qatar in Doha, focused on talks between the M23 and the Congolese government, is also reportedly frozen following the latest offensive.

Tshisekedi Under Growing Pressure

President Tshisekedi faces mounting domestic criticism over his failure to end the conflict in eastern DR Congo. Public frustration is growing, and tensions within the military have increased following corruption arrests and battlefield losses.

Observers say Tshisekedi is now relying heavily on international pressure, particularly from Washington, to force Rwanda to curb its support for the M23.

An Uncertain Road Ahead

With the capture of Uvira, the Trump-brokered peace deal is widely seen as hanging by a thread. Whether it can be salvaged depends largely on the willingness of global mediators to exert sustained pressure and invest political capital in ending one of Africa’s most complex conflicts.

For civilians caught in the fighting, the collapse of the agreement is yet another reminder that peace in eastern DR Congo remains fragile and elusive.