The United States once again said that Rwandan troops are in the DRC, and Foreign Minister Marco Rubio said that Rwanda must accelerate the agreement to withdraw its troops from the DRC.

The United States says it expects Rwanda to withdraw its troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, by the second half of next month. The statement comes amid accusations that Rwanda is supporting the M23 rebels fighting the Congolese government. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement on Wednesday in testimony before the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. The presentation was part of the US administration’s plan to put America first in international relations.

Secretary Rubio's testimony came as the committee considered the State Department's budget request for fiscal year 2027. In his remarks, Rubio noted that the peace agreement signed between the DRC and Rwanda is still in place, but that its implementation is not working well. He said that the United States has imposed sanctions to force those responsible to comply with the agreements. He said that changes are beginning to be seen on the Rwandan side, although not fast enough.

“We hope to see compliance sometime in the middle of next month with the withdrawal of Rwandan troops,” Rubio said. He continued by saying that despite the withdrawal, the M23 issue remains and must be resolved. This shows that the United States is putting pressure on both sides to achieve lasting security in the Great Lakes region. The United States also supports peace talks between the Congolese government and rebel leaders.

The DRC government, the United States, and UN experts have repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23. They accuse Rwanda of providing M23 with training, troops, financial support, and logistical and weapons support. Rwanda has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying it is trying to prevent armed groups in Congo from threatening its security, including groups linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Since early last year, M23 has seized large swathes of eastern Congo, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu. Fighting has flared up again since late 2021, after nearly 30 years of on and off. This has forced many civilians to flee their homes, with thousands seeking refuge in Uganda, Rwanda and elsewhere.

The peace agreement signed in Doha and Washington in 2025 was intended to end the war and remove foreign troops from Congo. But its implementation has been hampered by mistrust between Kigali and Kinshasa. International organizations including the African Union and the EAC are working hard to monitor its implementation.

The crisis in eastern Congo is linked to a long history of conflict, mismanagement of natural resources, and more than a hundred armed groups operating in the region. The United States says a lasting solution must first resolve the M23 issue, get all foreign troops out, and increase dialogue between the Congolese government and its eastern people. Even so, concerns about a return to conflict remain high.