Our Scans · Rwanda · Weekly Summary

• [New] The US is negotiating a minerals deal with the DRC in parallel with a US-led peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda that is expected to be finalized by late June. Critical Threats
• Mining ministers from the ICGLR countries of Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia will visit the DRC and Rwanda to investigate the DRC's claims that Rwanda is pillaging its minerals and fueling a conflict in the eastern DRC. Critical Threats
• The advances of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo is alarming for the DRC and could fuel a major continental conflict. Atlantic Council
• Intensifying violence in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to displace thousands as the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group threatens to march on the distant capital, Kinshasa, and the UN Security Council holds an emergency meeting to head off regional war. The United Nations Office at Geneva
• International powers accuse Rwanda of arming and supporting the M23, but Rwanda asserts that its forces are acting in self-defence against threats from the Congolese army and local militias. National Catholic Reporter
• Rwanda is all but confirmed to be backing the M23 rebels as they advance further into the Democratic Republic of the Congo's western territory, escalating fears of a major regional conflict. What You Missed
• Burundi remains highly suspect of Rwanda despite efforts between Burundi and Rwanda to deconflict their activity in the eastern DRC and decrease the risk of a wider war since February. Institute for the Study of War
• Burundi and Rwanda risk miscalculating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, which could spark a wider regional war in a most dangerous scenario, despite both countries' efforts to deescalate and avoid a direct conflict. Institute for the Study of War
• If the US were to accept a deal, it would likely come at the expense of its current cooperation with Rwanda against regional threats like al-Shabaab - potentially restructuring the regional security architecture. Steptoe LLP
• Democratic Republic of Congo is considering sending representatives to peace talks with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group that Angola plans to host next week. FDD
• Angola announced on Tuesday that it will act as a mediator in the ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Yahoo News
• Rwanda, facing an existential threat from the FDLR and a growing genocidal ideology in the DRC, would undoubtedly seek military assistance if it were forced into war. KT PRESS
• Even if Rwanda refuted allegations of its support to the M23 rebels, it is not indifferent to the security situation in eastern DRC because of the FDLR, accused by Rwanda as perpetrators of genocide and a threat to its security. Accord
• The Democratic Republic of Congo recently proposed that it could offer the United States and Europe access to its mineral reserves in return for military assistance, amid its ongoing conflict with neighboring Rwanda. DNyuz
• The recent activities of the M23 rebel group, reportedly supported by Rwanda, has added to the vulnerability of Christians. Open Doors UK & Ireland
• For Rwanda, whose mineral reserves are comparatively modest, gaining access to North Kivu's resources represents an opportunity to bolster its economy and solidify its influence in the Great Lakes region. Democratic Republic of Congo
• Since the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has repeatedly invaded Congolese territory, ostensibly to neutralise security threats posed by remnants of Hutu extremist groups, such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. Democratic Republic of Congo
• The emergence of the M23 / AFC terrorist outfit, which is supported by Rwanda, has caused a significant disruption to the fragile equilibrium that had been in place. Democratic Republic of Congo
• Rwanda denies giving military support to M23 but has accused hardline Hutu groups in DR Congo of threatening its security. Al Jazeera
• Access to the Port of Dar es Salaam offers SGL an advantage in serving landlocked countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, unlocking new opportunities for cross-border logistics solutions. Zambia Transport & Logistics
• Rwanda is unlikely to stay out of DR Congo unless it is satisfied that the FDLR is no longer a threat to itself, or to the Tutsi communities in eastern DR Congo. BBC News
• Rwanda describes the FDLR as a genocidal militia and says its continued existence in the DR Congo's east threatens its own territory. BBC News

Last updated: 13 June 2025