A UN study claims that Uganda supported the M23 rebels in the Congo

As tensions in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo escalate and concerns of a fresh all-out war grow, the Ugandan army has reportedly given assistance to the M23 rebel group. This information was obtained from a United Nations report obtained by Reuters on Monday.

Uganda denied any involvement, claiming to be closely collaborating with the government forces in the Congo. Rwanda has long disputed charges made by the United Nations that it supports the M23, an organization that has taken control of significant areas of the mineral-rich eastern Congo.

For decades, conflict has torn through the Congo. 1996 and 1998 saw invasions by Rwanda and Uganda, who claimed to be defending themselves against local militia organizations. Uganda continues to work with Congolese forces to fight a rebel group in Uganda.

In the militia-ravaged east of Congo, the Tutsi-led M23 rebels have been conducting a new insurgency since 2022.

In order to monitor a truce with the M23, Ugandan troops were part of a regional force that was sent in November 2022. The force should leave the Congo, according to Congolese officials, who demanded its withdrawal last year.

The report, which was sent to the U.N. Security Council Sanctions Committee at the end of April and then to members of the Security Council in June, stated that Uganda had not prevented the presence of M23 and Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) troops on its territory or passage through it since the resurgence of the M23 crisis.

The U.N. panel added that it had proof of active military and military intelligence backing for M23, with travels to Uganda by M23 leaders, including the sanctioned Sultani Makenga, for meetings.

In an interview with Reuters, Uganda’s deputy military spokesman, Deo Akiiki, stated that these kinds of stories unfairly blame the army of the east African nation at a time when its ties with the Congolese troops (FARDC) are at their strongest.

“It would be mad for us to destabilise the same area we are sacrificing it all to have it stable,” added Akiiki.

According to the U.N. assessment, the M23 was fighting with 3,000–4,000 Rwandan soldiers against the Congolese army. According to the experts, Rwanda is held accountable for the conduct of M23 because of the army’s “de facto control and direction over M23 operations.”

The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group that has assaulted Tutsis in both countries, has received funding and military support from Congo, according to Rwanda’s statement.

Rwanda will continue to defend itself until the DRC decides to deescalate the situation, a spokesperson for the Rwandan government Yolande Makolo told Reuters.