Peace deal at risk as DR Congo, Burundi slam Rwanda

A JUST-SIGNED agreement aimed at ending the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) looked to be unravelling on Monday with the DRC and Burundi slamming neighbouring Rwanda after the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group attacked border areas.

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A group freshly displaced people from the Democratic Republic of Congo arrive in Bugarama, Rwanda, after fleeing intense shelling in the bordering Kamanyola region.

(AFP)

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of “violating” the accord — signed only last Thursday in Washington at the urging of US President Donald Trump - as the M23 made a rapid advance to threaten the city of Uvira near the border with Burundi.

Local and military sources said hundreds of fleeing Congolese and allied Burundian soldiers had sought refuge inside Burundi as a result.

“It is clear that Rwanda is already violating its commitments,” Tshisekedi told lawmakers, referring to attacks by Rwandan forces in several locations in South Kivu province in recent days.

Burundi then denounced attacks by Rwanda into its territory, in an area bordering eastern DR Congo, as the violence spiralled.