The ink had barely dried on a Washington-brokered peace deal before the United States issued a blistering condemnation of Rwanda, accusing Kigali of torching the truce to fuel a deadly new offensive in eastern Congo.

This diplomatic rupture marks a dangerous pivot for the East African Community. With Rwandan special forces reportedly operating in the strategic city of Uvira and over 400 civilians dead, the conflict threatens to spill over borders, destabilizing trade and security for the entire Great Lakes region.

A Broken Promise

The sharp rebuke came from Mike Waltz, the US Ambassador to the UN, who told the Security Council on Friday that Washington was "profoundly concerned and incredibly disappointed" by the escalation. The violence comes despite a peace agreement signed just last week in Washington by the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.

"Rwanda is leading the region towards increased instability and war," Waltz warned, marking a significant shift in tone from the US delegation. He emphasized that the accord explicitly obliged Rwanda to halt support for armed groups, a commitment that appears to have been immediately violated.

The Human Cost

The situation on the ground in South Kivu has deteriorated rapidly. According to officials, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have launched a ferocious campaign that has claimed hundreds of lives in a matter of days. The strategic implications are dire:

• Civilian Toll: More than 400 civilians have been killed since the offensive escalated.
• Strategic Loss: Rwandan special forces are reportedly present in Uvira, a vital trading hub on the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika.
• Regional Entanglement: The conflict is drawing in neighboring forces, with the US explicitly backing Congo's right to invite Burundian troops to assist in defense.

Washington's Ultimatum

While the M23 rebel group was not a signatory to the Washington accord—having negotiated a separate, now-tattered ceasefire earlier this year—the US holds Rwanda responsible for the group's capabilities. Waltz made it clear that diplomatic patience has run out.

"We will use the tools at our disposal to hold to account spoilers to peace," Waltz stated, a phrase that diplomatic analysts interpret as a veiled threat of sanctions against Kigali officials or military leaders.

As the Security Council adjourned, the message to the East African region was stark: the time for proxy warfare is over. Waltz concluded with a demand for immediate de-escalation, urging all sides to "avoid further escalation" before the Great Lakes region is plunged into a wider, more catastrophic war.