UN Report Details Alleged Rwandan Command Structure Behind AFC/M23 Operations

Kinshasa, July 3, 2026 - A new report by the United Nations Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo has highlighted what it describes as a structured chain of command linking the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) to the operations of the Congo River Alliance/AFC-M23 movement in eastern DRC. The assessment examines the military coordination and operational links between the RDF and AFC/M23, which continues to control significant areas of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. According to the report, Rwanda’s leadership appointed senior military figures to oversee security and defence matters connected to the conflict. Retired General James Kabarebe was appointed as senior defence and security adviser in December 2025, while Brigadier General Jean-Paul Nyirabutama was later named his deputy in January 2026. The document states that Nyirabutama played a role in managing communication channels with AFC/M23, while James Kabarebe allegedly acted as a key intermediary between Rwandan authorities, AFC/M23 leaders, and former Congolese President Joseph Kabila. The report mentions frequent meetings held in Gisenyi as part of these contacts. The UN experts describe an operational structure in which senior RDF officials in Kigali maintained links with commanders on the ground. The report identifies General Vincent Nyakarundi, Chief of Staff of the RDF army, as having overseen operations in eastern DRC. The assessment further indicates that elements of Rwanda’s 3rd and 4th Divisions were involved in the regional military deployment. The 3rd Division was reportedly active mainly in North Kivu under Major General Eugene Nkubito, while the 4th Division operated primarily in South Kivu before being redeployed to Mozambique at the end of 2025. Special forces units were also reportedly involved in frontline operations. According to the report, former AFC/M23 recruits interviewed by UN experts described the presence of RDF personnel, including specialized units, during high-risk military operations. The experts further state that the Rwandan authorities allegedly influenced AFC/M23’s strategic decisions, including which territories to capture, hold, or withdraw from, suggesting a high level of operational coordination between the two actors. The report also indicates that UN experts formally requested explanations from the Rwandan government regarding alleged support to AFC/M23 but had not received a response at the time of publication. The allegations involving former President Joseph Kabila and his political allies remain strongly contested. Kabila’s camp has repeatedly rejected accusations of links with AFC/M23 and Rwanda, describing the legal proceedings against him as politically motivated and aimed at weakening his political influence. The publication of the UN report comes as diplomatic efforts under the Washington Agreement and the Doha peace process continue to face major obstacles. Despite international mediation efforts, tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali remain high, with disagreements persisting over the interpretation and implementation of commitments. Negotiations between the Congolese government and AFC/M23 have yet to achieve a breakthrough, while security conditions on the ground continue to deteriorate. Regional and international actors continue to call on all parties to respect their commitments, but the gap between diplomatic agreements and developments on the battlefield remains a major challenge for peace efforts in eastern DRC.