US scolds Rwanda for breaking peace deal as M23 rebels seize key Congo city

Mike Waltz warns ‘spoilers’ will be held to account as rebel fighters escalate offensive in South Kivu province The

US has accused Rwanda of violating a US-brokered peace agreement by backing a deadly new rebel offensive in the mineral-rich eastern Congo, and warned action will be taken against “spoilers”. The rema

rks by the US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, came as more than 400 civilians have been killed since the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels escalated their offensive in eastern Congo’s South Kivu province, according to officials who also say Rwandan special forces were in the strategic city of Uvira. Waltz on F

riday told the UN security council that the US was “profoundly concerned and incredibly disappointed with the renewed outbreak of violence” by M23. “Rwanda is lea

ding the region towards increased instability and war,” Waltz warned. “We will use the t

ools at our disposal to hold to account spoilers to peace.” He called on Rwanda to

respect Congo’s right to defend its territory and invite friendly forces from neighbouring Burundi to fight alongside Congolese forces. He also said the US was

engaging with all sides “to urge restraint and to avoid further escalation”. The rebels’ latest offensive

comes despite a US-mediated peace agreement signed last week by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Washington. The accord didn’t include the

rebel group, which is negotiating separately with Congo and agreed earlier this year to a ceasefire that both sides accuse the other of violating. However, it obliges Rwanda to ha