Rwanda-backed Rebels Accuse US of Failing to Enforce Congo Peace Deal

Rebels in Congo have accused the United States of falling short as a mediator in efforts to end the conflict in the country's mineral-rich east. The criticism comes in a letter sent to the U.S. Secretary of State from the leader of the Congolese rebel group, according to the Associated Press.

The Trump administration has sought to open the region's critical mineral reserves to the U.S. government and American companies. The letter states that Washington has failed to pressure Congo’s government over its alleged violations of peace commitments.

It was signed by the Congo River Alliance, which includes the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Congo and Rwanda agreed last year to a U.S.-mediated peace deal aimed at ending the long-running conflict in eastern Congo. The accord would define terms of economic partnership involving the three countries and unlock deals on rare earth minerals.

At the time, President Donald Trump praised the leaders of the two nations. Trump has since often cited his success in negotiating the deal. Fighting in the region continues, with both rebel and government forces accusing each other of violating peace terms.

The letter also criticized the U.S. for sanctioning actors critical of the authorities in Kinshasa. That reference points to U.S. sanctions on the former Congolese president last week over his alleged role in funding and supporting the rebels. Earlier this year, Washington sanctioned Rwanda's military and four of its senior officials for supporting M23.

The letter stated that the administration has imposed no sanctions nor issued warnings to leaders in Kinshasa. It questioned the impartiality and neutrality of the American mediator. "Your administration has neither imposed any sanctions nor issued even a simple warning to the leaders in Kinshasa, whose intransigent and arrogant attitude calls into question the impartiality and neutrality of the American Facilitator/Mediator," the letter said.

" Congo, the U.S. and U.N. experts accuse Rwanda of backing M23, which has grown from hundreds of members in 2021 to around 6,500 fighters, according to the United Nations. Eastern Congo has been affected by decades of unrest as government forces fight more than 100 armed groups, the most potent being M23, often over access to its mineral riches.

M23 fighters made a major advance into the region early last year, seizing Goma and other key cities. While U.S. mediation has helped reduce regional tension it has not stopped the fighting on the ground, a professor at the University of Antwerp told the AP.

Background on the Conflict The conflict in eastern Congo involves government forces and more than 100 armed groups competing for control of valuable minerals. The peace deal signed last year sought to address both the security situation and potential economic partnerships among Congo, Rwanda and the United States. Implementation has been incomplete as violations are reported by all sides.