Rwanda: Rwanda rejected on Monday what it called the UN human rights office's (OHCHR) "false accusations" that its army assisted M23 rebels in killing 319 civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. 'OHCHR alleges, without any evidence, corroboration, or reported motives, that the Rwanda Defense Force 'aided' in the killing of '319 civilians' in farms in eastern DRC,' a Foreign Ministry statement said.

According to Anadolu Agency, the ministry expressed concerns over the "gratuitous inclusion" of the Rwandan army in these allegations, labeling it as "unacceptable" and questioning the credibility of the UN human rights office and its investigation methodology. The ministry further highlighted that the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) has struggled to protect civilians amidst ongoing insecurity, and the OHCHR's claims might hinder peace efforts in the Congo conflict.

The UN human rights office, based on firsthand accounts, reported that the M23 rebels conducted attacks on four villages in North Kivu province in July, resulting in the deaths of at least 319 civilians. This conflict context is marked by a declaration of principles signed on July 19 in Doha by the Congolese government and M23 rebels, following a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda brokered in Washington, DC, on June 27.

While the UN, Kinshasa, and other critics accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, Kigali has consistently denied these claims. The rebel group, pivotal to the conflict in eastern Congo, currently controls key territories, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, seized earlier this year.