Rwanda–M23 Files: Inside UN Report S/2026/466 on Eastern DRC

The UN Group of Experts report S/2026/466 presents eastern DRC as a conflict shaped by military occupation, rebel administration, mineral exploitation, civilian suffering and failed diplomacy. It says AFC/M23, with sustained support from the Rwanda Defence Force, expanded control in North and South Kivu and was responsible for the largest share of human rights and humanitarian law violations among armed actors.

1. RDF Military Operations in Eastern DRC

The report estimates Rwanda’s military presence in eastern DRC at 14,000–18,000 RDF troops: around 8,000–10,000 in South Kivu and 6,000–8,000 in North Kivu. It says RDF forces operated across several frontlines with drones, electronic warfare systems, special forces and advanced equipment.

In South Kivu, the report says Rwanda deployed over 8,000 troops during the Uvira offensive, including special forces, BM21-type rocket launchers, GPS-guided mortars, kamikaze drones and jamming systems. Uvira was captured on 10 December 2025, days after the Washington Agreement was signed.

2. Rwanda’s Support and Command of M23

The report does not describe Rwanda as a distant supporter. It says RDF forces held forward positions, opened operational corridors for M23, supervised M23 combat units and integrated RDF personnel into mixed battalions with M23 fighters. It also says some RDF troops wore M23 uniforms to avoid detection.

The command structure is also named. The report identifies James Kabarebe as a key liaison with AFC/M23 leadership, while Jean-Paul Nyirabutama handled operational communication channels. It says RDF deployments were coordinated through a chain linking senior leadership in Kigali to M23 commanders on the ground.

3. War Crimes & Human Rights Allegations

The humanitarian picture is severe. By March 2026, the report says 3.4 million people were internally displaced across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, while more than 60% of the population in those provinces lived in extreme poverty.

The report also says conflict-related sexual violence and child recruitment reached unprecedented levels. It identifies AFC/M23 as the leading perpetrator of UN-verified conflict-related sexual violence cases, while children were affected by recruitment, sexual violence and school disruption.