The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is resisting mounting international pressure to engage in direct negotiations with the M23 rebel group which has advanced rapidly in the eastern region of the country in recent months.

Despite recent calls from the UK and other international powers for inclusive dialogue, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka told reporters that her government will only negotiate with Rwanda, which it accuses of backing the M23.

At least 8,500 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced since January, according to Congolese authorities.

Prime Minister Suminwa Tuluka insists that Rwanda is the “aggressor” violating DRC’s territorial sovereignty. She cited a UN experts’ report claiming that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan troops crossed into eastern Congo to support the M23 rebels.

“The fact remains that the aggressor… is Rwanda,” she said, accusing Kigali of standing in the way of peace.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame did not deny the presence of his troops in eastern Congo, responding “I don’t know” when questioned in a recent CNN interview.

The conflict has strained Rwanda’s previously close ties with Western nations. The United States recently imposed sanctions on Rwandan government minister James Kabarebe, while the European Commission suspended defense consultations and placed a raw materials agreement with Rwanda under review.

The UK government has also announced a pause in aid—except for funds assisting the poorest and most vulnerable—unless Rwanda withdraws its forces and engages meaningfully in peace talks.

Rwanda has dismissed these measures as “punitive” and “unjustified”, arguing that it must defend its national security.

Efforts to mediate the conflict, including a joint East and Southern African initiative, have stalled. Regional leaders recently called for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of foreign forces, and direct talks between the DRC and non-state actors, including the M23.

However, DR Congo continues to reject direct negotiations with the rebel group. Prime Minister Suminwa Tuluka insists that peace depends on two actions:

“Ensure that Rwandan troops withdraw from Congolese territory and that their M23 stop killing the Congolese populations,” she said.

Rwanda, meanwhile, accuses the Congolese army of collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)—a group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide—an allegation the DRC denies.

DR Congo rejects talks with M23 rebels despite international pressure