The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has summoned Uganda’s most senior diplomat in the country, accusing Uganda’s military of supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo. This escalating situation comes amidst a UN report alleging Ugandan involvement and follows similar accusations against neighboring Rwanda earlier this year.
The tension stems from a recent UN report that claims the Ugandan military is aiding the M23, a rebel group active in eastern Congo with alleged ties to Rwanda. This region has long been plagued by instability, and the renewed M23 activity since November 2021 has displaced thousands of civilians.
Matata Twaha, Uganda’s charge d’affaires (acting ambassador) in the DRC, was summoned by Deputy Foreign Minister Gracia Yamba Kazadi on Friday to address the allegations. Twaha firmly denied any Ugandan involvement and reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional stability and cooperation with the Congolese government.
This incident follows the DRC’s expulsion of the Rwandan ambassador in March 2024, accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 in attacks on Congolese troops. The M23 group itself is primarily composed of Tutsis, the same ethnic group as Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
