[France24] The resurgence of the M23 group | ... also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army, the Tutsi group was founded in 2012 as a sock puppet of Rwanda, which no doubt seemed a good idea at the time. But in less than a year the Congolese army defeated them, and then Rwanda publicly stepped back in response to international pressure. Recently M23 has started acting up again, possibly again at Rwandan instigation... |
Blinken was speaking in the Congolese capital Kinshasa, where he arrived on Tuesday for the second leg of a three-nation African tour and met President Felix Tshisekedi.
Rwanda has denied the allegations.
"We are very concerned by credible reports that Rwanda has supported the M23," the top US diplomat told a press conference in Kinshasa. "All countries have to respect their neighbours’ territorial integrity. Any entry of foreign forces into the DRC must be done transparently and with the consent of the DRC."
Blinken added that he was "not turning a blind eye" and would discuss the issue with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
He said his trip to the region was to ensure US support for mediation efforts led by Angola and Kenya "to prevent further violence, to end conflict (and) to preserve the territorial integrity of the DRC".
He spoke after visiting South Africa on Monday, where he said the United States was seeking a "true partnership" with Africa.