The Council has called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces immediately and stop all support for the armed group.
In a unanimous resolution adopted on Friday, the UNSC also extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, for another year.
In a unanimous resolution adopted on Friday, the UNSC also extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, for another year.
The move comes amid growing concern that the conflict could spread across the wider Great Lakes region.
Despite Rwanda’s repeated denials, the UNSC said there is overwhelming evidence linking Kigali to the M23 offensive.
Despite Rwanda’s repeated denials, the UNSC said there is overwhelming evidence linking Kigali to the M23 offensive.
The fighting has intensified in recent weeks, especially after the collapse of a United States-brokered peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda.
The Security Council warned that M23’s capture of Uvira, a key city in South Kivu province, poses a serious threat to regional stability.
The Security Council warned that M23’s capture of Uvira, a key city in South Kivu province, poses a serious threat to regional stability.
According to the UNSC, the takeover endangers civilians, undermines peace efforts, and risks destabilising neighbouring countries.
US representative to the UN, Jennifer Locetta, said the M23 rebels must withdraw at least 75 kilometres from Uvira and comply fully with earlier peace commitments under the regional Framework Agreement.
M23 fighters captured Uvira on December 10, just days after Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met US President Donald Trump in Washington.
US representative to the UN, Jennifer Locetta, said the M23 rebels must withdraw at least 75 kilometres from Uvira and comply fully with earlier peace commitments under the regional Framework Agreement.
M23 fighters captured Uvira on December 10, just days after Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met US President Donald Trump in Washington.
During that meeting, the two leaders pledged to pursue peace, a commitment that was quickly undermined by renewed fighting on the ground.
Residents of Uvira say political agreements mean little to them as long as violence continues. One local resident, Feza Mariam, told Al Jazeera that people are desperate for peace and care less about political processes than about safety and stability.
Although M23 later claimed it was withdrawing from Uvira due to international pressure, the DRC government dismissed the announcement as a public relations stunt, insisting that rebel forces remain active in the city.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted that the Washington peace agreement is not being respected.
Residents of Uvira say political agreements mean little to them as long as violence continues. One local resident, Feza Mariam, told Al Jazeera that people are desperate for peace and care less about political processes than about safety and stability.
Although M23 later claimed it was withdrawing from Uvira due to international pressure, the DRC government dismissed the announcement as a public relations stunt, insisting that rebel forces remain active in the city.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted that the Washington peace agreement is not being respected.
He said the US now has formal commitments it can use to hold violators accountable. Washington has previously warned it would take action against individuals or states undermining the peace process.
According to US officials, between 5,000 and 7,000 Rwandan soldiers were operating in eastern DRC as of early December. The US has already sanctioned several Rwandan officials, while the DRC has called for expanded sanctions following the seizure of Uvira.
The violence has triggered a major humanitarian crisis. More than 84,000 people have fled into Burundi since early December, joining around 200,000 refugees already there. The UN says many refugees are exhausted and traumatised, pushing Burundi to a critical point.
Regional authorities report that over 400 civilians have been killed in recent fighting. With more than 100 armed groups active in eastern DRC, the conflict has displaced over seven million people, making it one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
According to US officials, between 5,000 and 7,000 Rwandan soldiers were operating in eastern DRC as of early December. The US has already sanctioned several Rwandan officials, while the DRC has called for expanded sanctions following the seizure of Uvira.
The violence has triggered a major humanitarian crisis. More than 84,000 people have fled into Burundi since early December, joining around 200,000 refugees already there. The UN says many refugees are exhausted and traumatised, pushing Burundi to a critical point.
Regional authorities report that over 400 civilians have been killed in recent fighting. With more than 100 armed groups active in eastern DRC, the conflict has displaced over seven million people, making it one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
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