U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Rwanda’s actions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) constitute a clear violation of the Washington Accords signed on December 4, saying the United States would take steps to ensure commitments made to President Donald Trump are upheld.
“Rwanda’s actions in eastern DRC are a clear violation of the Washington Accords signed by President Trump, and the United States will take action to ensure promises made to the President are kept,” Rubio said in a statement.
Rubio’s remarks came a day after the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, accused Rwanda of driving the Great Lakes region toward renewed conflict, citing continued instability and violence in eastern Congo.
The Washington Accords, signed on December 4 under U.S. mediation, were aimed at de-escalating tensions between Rwanda and the DRC after months of fighting involving Congolese forces and armed groups operating near the border. The agreement committed the parties to respect Congo’s territorial integrity, halt support to armed groups, and pursue security cooperation and dialogue mechanisms to stabilize eastern DRC.
Under the accords, Rwanda was expected to refrain from any actions that could fuel violence across the border, while the DRC pledged to address security threats posed by militias hostile to Kigali. The deal was presented by the Trump administration as a cornerstone of a broader U.S. effort to prevent a regional war and protect civilian populations.
Eastern Congo has for years been plagued by fighting involving dozens of armed groups, with Kinshasa repeatedly accusing Rwanda of backing rebels operating in North Kivu and surrounding provinces. Kigali has denied the allegations, saying its security concerns stem from hostile militias based in Congo.
U.S. officials did not specify what actions Washington might take, but Rubio’s comments signal growing impatience in Washington over the deteriorating security situation and what it sees as non-compliance with the December agreement.
The United Nations says the latest escalation of violence, and capture of Uvira, has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, raising fears of a wider regional conflict if diplomatic efforts fail.
