US demands Rwanda withdraw troops from DRC, stop M23 support

The US special envoy to Africa on Thursday called on Rwanda to withdraw all its troops from the Democratic Republic Congo and stop any support for the M23 rebel group.

Eastern DR Congo has been wracked by decades of conflict but tensions have soared in recent months by the advance of the M23 armed group, which the international community says is backed by Rwanda. Kigali denies the accusations.

"Rwanda should cease all military support to M23, and withdraw all Rwandan troops from DRC territory," the US envoy, Massad Boulos, said during an online press conference from Washington after meeting this month with the leaders of both countries.

"M23 must lay down their arms," he added, urging that the conflict be resolved through dialogue.

On April 8, Boulos had avoided directly answering how the fighting could be ended.

M23 has taken control of the cities of Goma and Bukavu in eastern DRC since the beginning of the year and is threatening to take more territory.

The latest escalation of clashes has killed thousands of people and forced tens of thousands more to flee to neighbouring countries, according to the United Nations and the Congolese government.