DR Congo accuses Rwanda of illegal occupation, minister alleges

The Democratic Republic of Congo has accused Rwanda of illegally occupying its territory and attempting to orchestrate regime change, escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries.

Speaking to the BBC, DR Congo’s Foreign Minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, condemned what she described as Rwanda’s continued violations of international law. She blamed the international community for failing to hold Rwandan President Paul Kagame accountable, allowing him “decades of impunity.”

Her remarks follow the recent capture of Goma, a major city in eastern DR Congo, by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. The rebels have threatened to advance further west toward the capital, Kinshasa, located 2,600 km (1,600 miles) away.

Rwanda has denied the allegations, with government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo insisting that its troops are only deployed near the border to prevent the conflict from spilling into Rwandan territory.

The M23 rebellion, which has plagued eastern DR Congo for over a decade, has been a major flashpoint in regional instability. The Congolese government has long accused Rwanda of backing the rebel group—a claim supported by UN and Western intelligence reports, though Rwanda has repeatedly denied direct involvement.

The fresh hostilities have intensified diplomatic efforts, with regional and international mediators calling for de-escalation. The African Union and the East African Community have urged both sides to engage in talks, while the UN has warned of worsening humanitarian conditions in the conflict zone.

With tensions at a boiling point, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and prevent a full-scale regional crisis.

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