Rwanda criticises UN report on role in DR Congo

Rwanda's foreign minister dismissed as biased and incomplete a UN document that said Kigali was backing a mutiny in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and so violating an arms embargo. "This is a one-sided preliminary document based on partial findings and is still subject to verification," Louise Mushikiwabo said in a statement. "We intend to provide factual evidence that the charges against Rwanda are false. These, as well as Rwanda's own allegations, will hopefully be reflected in the final UN report due in November," Mushikiwabo said. She said it was "deeply regrettable" that a "media frenzy" over her country's alleged involvement in DR Congo had forced the hasty publication of the report. The allegations were contained in a leaked confidential annexe to a recent UN report. In it, UN sanctions experts said they had "overwhelming evidence" that Rwanda has violated an arms embargo to aid rebels in DR Congo. The experts said evidence indicated that senior Rwandan military officers had been providing weapons, military supplies and new recruits to the rebels. "Over the course of its investigation since late 2011, the group (of experts) has found substantial evidence attesting to support from Rwandan officials to armed groups operating in the eastern DRC," investigators wrote. Eastern DR Congo has been rocked by an uprising by army mutineers who have formed a group called M23, led by Bosco Ntaganda, a renegade general wanted by the International Criminal Court. Rwanda has already repeatedly denied backing M23.