Ruto: M23 Crisis Requires Congolese Solution, Not Blame on Rwanda

Kenyan President William Ruto has defended calls for dialogue between the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, arguing that the crisis in eastern Congo should be treated primarily as a Congolese issue rather than blamed on neighbouring Rwanda.

Ruto made the remarks at the Africa CEO Summit in Kigali, reflecting on discussions among regional heads of state over the long-running conflict in eastern DRC, where Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels — allegations Kigali denies. “As heads of state, in a meeting, we asked: are M23 people Rwandese or are they Congolese? And the DRC said these are Congolese.

So, if these are Congolese, how does it become a Rwanda problem? How does it become a Paul Kagame problem?” Ruto said. The DRC–M23 conflict, which has lasted for decades, is rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi.

Rwanda accuses the DRC of supporting the FDLR militia, linked to perpetrators of the genocide. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has repeatedly said the FDLR seeks to destabilize Rwanda. M23 is composed largely of ethnic Tutsi fighters whom Rwanda insists must be fully recognized as Congolese citizens.

Kagame has often argued that, as Congolese, M23 members’ grievances should be addressed by Kinshasa — a position Ruto echoed. The conflict between DRC government forces and M23 escalated sharply after a lightning rebel offensive in January 2025 that led to the capture of major towns, including the regional capital, Goma.

In an effort to end years of fighting, the DRC and Rwanda signed a US- and Qatar-mediated peace deal in the United States. Under the agreement, the two countries committed to a regional economic integration framework and to creating a joint security coordination mechanism. The deal also provided for the withdrawal of thousands of Rwandan soldiers said to be supporting M23 from Congolese territory.

Despite the ceasefire, fighting continued, prompting the United States to impose sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force and four of its senior commanders for allegedly providing direct operational support to M23.

Ruto said that once it was acknowledged that M23 fighters are Congolese citizens, efforts should focus on an internal  political settlement through inclusive dialogue.  “Since it is settled that M23 are Congolese, it is a Congolese problem, and therefore we need a Congolese solution,” he said, adding that regional initiatives such as the Luanda and Nairobi processes have consistently underscored the need to involve all parties. “In our opinion, listening to all sides — whether through the Luanda process or the Nairobi peace process — M23 want to be involved in the dialogue.

They are saying, ‘Why are you locking us out? We are Congolese, we have issues, we want to talk to our government,’” he noted. The Kenyan leader warned that excluding armed groups claiming political grievances from negotiations risks prolonging instability.  “I don’t find any better outcome than a citizenry that has grievances, that has issues with their government, and is willing to engage their government in a discussion so that they can sort out their grievances,” Ruto said, stressing that dialogue with citizens strengthens rather than weakens states.

 “There is nothing anybody loses when you engage your citizens in dialogue,” he added. The conflict in eastern DRC has killed hundreds of thousands of civilians and displaced millions over the years.