Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of violating a cease‑fire deal signed just a day earlier claiming Rwandan forces launched heavy‑weapon attacks into eastern Congo immediately after the accord.
In a statement to parliament, Tshisekedi said that units of the Rwandan Defence Forces fired on localities including Kaziba, Katogota and Lubarika in South Kivu causing heavy human and material damage.
The cease‑fire agreement, signed recently in Washington between DRC and Rwanda, was meant to stabilize the region and curb rebel advances by the Rwanda‑backed M23 insurgent group.
But the weekend’s violence which has forced thousands to flee their homes in South Kivu, underscores how fragile the deal still is.
Tshisekedi warned that such actions compromise peace efforts and demand immediate international attention. Meanwhile, human rights groups and neighbouring states called for urgent efforts to prevent further civilian harm.
Given the scale of the attack reportedly involving heavy weapons, critics insist that without transparent investigation and enforcement of the cease‑fire terms, the deal may amount to little more than a temporary lull.
