The United States has issued a warning to Rwanda over its actions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), accusing Kigali of violating international commitments.
The US signalled that it is prepared to respond to ensure compliance with the agreements endorsed by President Donald Trump.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said Rwanda’s conduct in the conflict-hit eastern DRC contravened the Washington Accords and undermined commitments made directly to the US administration.
“Rwanda's actions in eastern DRC are a clear violation of the Washington Accords signed by President Trump, and the United States will take action to ensure promises made to the President are kept,” Rubio said.
The statement comes amid renewed fighting and heightened diplomatic tensions in eastern DRC, where armed violence involving rebel groups has persisted despite repeated regional and international mediation efforts.
The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and drawn in neighbouring countries, with Rwanda repeatedly accused by the Congolese government and United Nations experts of backing armed groups operating across the border.
Rwanda has consistently denied the allegations.
The Washington Accords, are a set of agreements aimed at stabilising the Great Lakes region and reducing cross-border hostilities.
While the accords were designed to promote security cooperation and respect for sovereignty, their implementation has faced repeated challenges as violence continues in eastern DRC.
The warning from Washington signals growing frustration within US political circles over what they view as a failure to honour diplomatic commitments.
The Congolese government has long called for stronger international intervention, arguing that continued instability in the east cannot be resolved without addressing external involvement.
US officials have previously urged all parties to respect DRC’s territorial integrity and to pursue dialogue through established regional mechanisms.
Rubio’s statement also underscores the importance the United States attaches to agreements signed under President Trump, framing their enforcement as a matter of credibility for US diplomacy.
“The United States will take action to ensure promises made to the President are kept,” he said, reinforcing the message that Washington expects adherence to negotiated commitments.
As tensions persist, the spotlight is likely to remain on Rwanda’s next moves and on whether US warnings translate into concrete policy actions aimed at curbing the violence and restoring stability in eastern DRC.
Rwanda and DRC signed the Washington Accords on December 4, in an event attended by Donald Trump, President William Ruto, Former President Uhuru Kenya and Angola’s João Lourenço who have been leading negotiations regionally.
