UN experts report that Rwanda exercises command and control over the M23 rebel group; Rwanda rejects the findings
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The UN Security Council's Group of Experts on the DRC, in its report S/2025/446 (submitted in May 2025 and made public in July 2025), concluded that Rwanda exercises 'command and control' over the M23 armed group, which takes instructions from Rwandan government and intelligence services. The experts said Rwandan Defence Force operations were not primarily aimed at the FDLR but at conquering additional territory, and cited M23's withdrawal from Walikale as following a direct instruction from Rwanda's government. Earlier UN expert reports estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan troops fought alongside M23. Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told Reuters the report 'misrepresents Rwanda's longstanding security concerns' about the FDLR, and President Paul Kagame said on 4 July 2025 that the reports were written long ago to confirm an existing narrative. Rwanda has long denied backing M23.
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