Rwanda-backed militia violating Trump Congo peace plan, UN report says

A UN panel’s 142-page report says M23 and Rwandan and Congolese forces committed deliberate violations of recent peace agreements in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the report was submitted to the UN Security Council on Dec. 30.

UN investigators released a 142-page report documenting breaches of recent peace agreements in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The report says those breaches involved the M23 militia as well as Rwandan and Congolese forces after the initial deals were signed last year. It reports that Rwandan troops entered Congo to support the militia and that M23 now controls substantial territory and local institutions. The report was submitted to the UN Security Council on Dec. 30 and was made public this week. Reported findings: - The UN panel reports deliberate violations of the peace agreements by M23 and by Rwandan and Congolese forces. - The report states the Rwandan government sent an estimated 6,000–7,000 soldiers into Congo to support M23. - M23 is reported to control major towns and to operate parallel administration, policing and revenue collection, including control of mining areas. - The panel said some actions, including targeted abuses and mistreatment in detention, may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity; the report has been submitted to the UN Security Council. Summary: The report indicates that the peace deals have not stopped armed control of territory or the flow of resources, and that those developments have significant implications for civilians and regional stability. Undetermined at this time.