Rwandan Opposition Urges US to Designate M23 as Terrorist Group

The Rwandan opposition has called on the United States Congress to formally list the M23 rebel movement as a terrorist organisation, citing UN-documented atrocities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

On 14 August 2025, following new US sanctions against armed groups in the DRC and certain Chinese companies, a coalition of Rwandan opposition parties submitted a letter to the US Senate. The correspondence expressed solidarity with the Congolese people and urged that the M23 — officially known as the AFC-M23 — be added to Washington’s list of foreign terrorist organisations.

The move aligns with the DRC government’s 2021 decision to classify the M23 as a terrorist group after its capture of the strategic border town of Bunagana.

The joint letter, reviewed by XTRAfrica, was signed by opposition leaders and several Rwandan civil society organisations. It urges US lawmakers to:

• Officially designate the AFC-M23 as a terrorist organisation under US law.

• End all security and military cooperation with the government of Rwanda, including Kigali’s role in UN peacekeeping operations.

• Strengthen international judicial cooperation to prosecute perpetrators and accomplices of crimes in the DRC.

• Support a comprehensive peace plan for the Great Lakes region based on democracy, human rights, justice, and reconciliation.

The correspondence cites evidence from the United Nations, international NGOs, and media investigations linking the M23 to serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Reported abuses include:

• Mass killings and executions — UN sources say more than 3,000 civilians were killed after the M23’s capture of Goma in 2012, with at least 319 deaths reported in July 2025 in areas including Kishishe, Rutshuru, Masisi, and Goma.

• Attacks on UN peacekeepers — resulting in the deaths of several MONUSCO personnel.

• Enforced disappearances and hostage-taking — including arbitrary arrests and secret detentions documented in Goma and Bukavu (Amnesty International).

• Torture and public beatings — allegedly aimed at intimidating local populations.

• Recruitment of child soldiers — confirmed by UN reports.

• Assaults on hospitals — including abductions of patients and medical staff.

• Sexual violence — systematic targeting of women and underage girls.

• Looting and forced displacement of entire communities.

• Bombing of civilian areas and IDP camps — killing over 100 people in seven months (HRW, OCHA)

The opposition groups argue that such crimes could not have been carried out at this scale without what they describe as the “direct logistical, military, and political support” of Rwanda’s government, allegations that Kigali has consistently denied.

Regional and Diplomatic Context

The M23 rebellion has been a central driver of instability in eastern DRC for over a decade. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the group, a claim supported by multiple UN Group of Experts reports. Kigali maintains it has no operational control over M23 and frames its involvement in the region as defensive.

The DRC government continues to call for regional and international partners to prioritise transparency in resource trade and to uphold international law in conflict resolution.

The US has yet to respond publicly to the Rwandan opposition’s request. If adopted, the designation could trigger asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on any entity found to be providing material support to the group.

Observers say the move could also add new diplomatic pressure on Kigali ahead of regional peace talks aimed at ending the fighting in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.