Kenya's military has ramped up operations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following fresh accusations of ceasefire violations. The moves come shortly after a U.S.-brokered peace deal between Rwanda and the DRC. Tensions persist as each side blames the other for undermining the fragile truce.
Kenya's 5th Quick Reaction Force, known as KENQRF 5, has stepped up patrols in the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. On December 10, 2025, the unit conducted a day-long operation involving foot and vehicle movements into Mayimoya village, situated 23 kilometers northeast of their base in Mavivi. The patrol sought to safeguard civilians and discourage armed groups in an area frequently targeted by violence.
This activity occurred just days after Kenyan President William Ruto observed the signing of the Washington Accord on December 4, 2025. The agreement, mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump, involved Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi. Kenyan peacekeepers aimed to bolster United Nations efforts, ensuring protection for local residents until Congolese national forces could assume full control.
The operation included interactions with village leaders to underscore the UN's commitment to the region. Meanwhile, Rwanda issued a statement on the same day accusing the DRC and Burundian forces of breaching the accord. Kigali claimed Kinshasa had not disarmed the FDLR militias, a key stipulation of the deal.
In its statement, the Rwandan Foreign Ministry declared: "The responsibility for ceasefire violations, ongoing attacks, and fighting in South Kivu, DRC, cannot be placed on Rwanda. Rwanda condemns the Congolese Army (FARDC) and the Burundian Army (FDNB), together with its coalition of the DRC-backed FDLR genocidal militias, systematically bombing civilian villages close to the Rwandan border."
Rwanda further alleged that Burundi had deployed nearly 20,000 troops in South Kivu, besieging Banyamulenge communities in Minembwe to induce starvation. The ministry urged swift adherence to the Washington Accords and completion of the Doha Agreement's remaining parts between the DRC and the AFC/M23 coalition, viewing them as essential for regional stability.
Earlier, on Monday, both the DRC and Burundi had leveled similar violation claims against Rwanda regarding the Trump-brokered pact, which was intended to halt the protracted conflict in the Great Lakes area.
