The Government of Rwanda has firmly rejected allegations made by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) linking its army to civilian killings in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rwanda dismissed as “false” the OHCHR’s claim that the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) “aided” in the killing of 319 civilians on farms in eastern DRC. The ministry said the allegations were made **without evidence, corroboration, or a clear motive**, and described the inclusion of the RDF as “unacceptable and gratuitous.”
The statement also questioned the credibility and methodology of the OHCHR, accusing the agency of making sensational claims that risk undermining ongoing peace efforts in the region. It pointed to the long-standing failure of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to protect civilians affected by insecurity.
These remarks come amid a wider set of UN accusations against Rwanda. A recent leaked report by UN experts, due to be presented to the Security Council, alleges that Rwanda exercises “command and control” over the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC. The report claims Rwanda provided instructions and critical support to the group, and raises concerns over mineral smuggling from conflict zones into Rwanda.
Rwanda has consistently denied supporting M23 and maintains that such accusations are politically motivated and aimed at shifting blame for the persistent insecurity in eastern Congo.
