Minister Nduhungirehe Condemns DRC Violations of Ceasefire

Kigali, Rwanda - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe declared that it is impossible for a truce to be respected by one side while the other openly violates it, and the international community fails to act. Speaking to ambassadors on December 12, 2025, Minister Nduhungirehe said that the DRC government has officially announced plans to attack AFC/M23 positions to reclaim lost territory, despite an existing ceasefire agreement mediated by the Government of Qatar.

He explained that during a joint security meeting in Washington D.C. on November 7, Rwanda and the DRC agreed that attacks should stop, but hostilities resumed afterwards, with Burundian troops participating. The attacks also targeted civilians, including Banyamulenge communities in Minembwe.

Minister Nduhungirehe criticized the deployment of 20,000 Burundian troops in South Kivu, noting that in addition to engaging AFC/M23, they have blocked roads used by Banyamulenge residents to access markets, effectively attempting to starve civilians. He stressed that their presence at the DRC’s request does not give them the right to attack civilians.

Rwanda has reportedly informed diplomatic missions of these violations, with most promising to convey the message to Kinshasa and Bujumbura, though the minister claimed the warnings were either not delivered or not strong enough to alter the situation.

“A ceasefire is an agreement between warring parties to stop fighting while waiting for a resolution. It cannot be respected by one side while the other avoids responsibility,” he said.

Minister Nduhungirehe expressed surprise that the international community only raised concerns when AFC/M23 defended itself, despite ongoing attacks by DRC forces, including warplanes and drones targeting civilians and AFC/M23 positions.

He also criticized recent statements by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, which condemned AFC/M23’s occupation of South Kivu and accused Rwanda of aiding the group, while ignoring the DRC government’s attacks.

Economy and Tech.