As Per Un Experts, Over 4,000 Rwandan Troops Are In The Congo, Cooperating With The M23 Rebel Group

According to a report released by U.N. experts on Wednesday, between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan government personnel are stationed in the neighboring eastern Congo, where they are assisting the M23 rebel organization, which has been making significant gains.

The experts described the estimated number of Rwandan troops as “conservative” and stated that the Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are violated by their “systematic support and presence” aiding M23 in its takeover of territory.

This “de facto control and direction over M23 operations also renders Rwanda liable for the actions of M23,” the expert panel stated in their 293-page report to the U.N. Security Council.

More than 120 factions have fought for control over land, precious minerals, and power in the Eastern Congo, while others have attempted to protect their communities from armed conflict. Mass killings have been attributed to some armed organizations.

Rwanda has been accused by U.S. and U.N. experts, as well as Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi, of providing military support to M23. Although Rwanda disputes the accusation, it pointed to a concentration of Congolese military close to the border in February and essentially acknowledged having troops and missile systems in the eastern Congo to protect its security.