UNITED NATIONS: Rwanda’s Gen Kabarebe Played Key Role in M23’s Uvira Offensive

PORTLAND, Maine — July 2nd, 2026 — The Rwanda National Congress (RNC) strongly reiterates its support for the United States' decision to target retired Rwandan General James Kabarebe for economic sanctions. This position has been further validated by a June 2026 Report from the United Nations’ Group of Experts, which reveals that Gen James Kabarebe played a central, commanding role in a major M23 rebel offensive designed to seize total control of the South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

According to the UN report, the tactical offensive against the strategic city of Uvira was launched in late November 2025. The operations were conducted under the direct, ground-level command of M23 military chief Sultani Makenga and commander Bertrand Byamungu, with General Kabarebe orchestrating what investigators explicitly described as a "significant role".

The UN Group of Experts' report states:

“The offensive on Uvira, launched in late November 2025 and led under the direct command of Makenga and Byamungu with a key role played by the retired Rwandan general James Kabarebe, had as its ultimate objective total control of South Kivu.”

Statement from the RNC Spokesperson

In reaction to these newly uncovered UN findings, Ignace Rusagara, the official Spokesperson for the Rwanda National Congress, expressed that the organization is entirely unsurprised by Kabarebe’s direct involvement in orchestrating local chaos, mass casualties, and the systemic exploitation of mineral wealth in the eastern DRC.

"General James Kabarebe is the primary right-hand man to Rwandan President Paul Kagame in the systematic looting and ravaging of the DRC, a pattern that dates back to Rwanda's initial invasion of the country in 1996," Rusagara stated.

"The two men are joined at the hip in these destabilization efforts." Rusagara further noted that while international accountability mechanisms can be slow, justice for the victims in the DRC will ultimately be served. "It is both timely and highly appropriate that the Congolese government has just officially filed its case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). There can be no doubt that, through these combined legal and diplomatic pressures, justice will ultimately prevail."

About the Rwanda National Congress (RNC)

Founded in 2010, the RNC is a democratic political organization dedicated to promoting peace, unity, freedom, justice, and democracy in Rwanda. The RNC advocates for accountable governance, respect for human rights, national reconciliation, and the establishment of democratic institutions that serve all Rwandans without discrimination.