Kigali has dismissed as “baseless” allegations by the UN Human Rights Office, accusing it of undermining peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Rwandan government on Monday, August 11, 2025, strongly rejected claims by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) that the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) was involved in the killing of 319 civilians on farms in eastern DRC.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation described the accusations as “false” and “without any evidence, corroboration, or reported motive.” Kigali said the “gratuitous inclusion” of the RDF in such claims was “unacceptable,” questioning both the credibility and methodology of the OHCHR.
The statement noted that at a time when the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) had “long failed” to protect civilians facing insecurity, such “sensationalist allegations” risked undermining ongoing efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern Congo.
Kigali’s warning comes as a new agreement between the DRC and Rwanda — signed in Washington under the auspices of the US — took immediate effect. The deal aims to strengthen the protection of civilians and the security of UN personnel. Open-ended in duration, it can be amended by mutual consent or terminated with 60 days’ notice.
According to Washington, these developments are intended to pave the way for a summit of heads of state, at a date yet to be determined, to consolidate peace and build shared regional prosperity in East Africa.
AC/lb/as/APA