A confidential United Nations report reveals that Rwanda has exercised command and control over the M23 rebel group during its recent military advances in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report, obtained by Reuters and confirmed by multiple UN experts, states that Rwanda provided critical support to the M23 rebels, facilitating their operations and enabling Kigali to gain political influence and access to mineral-rich territories in the region. The UN experts also indicate that Rwanda has hosted M23 leaders and recruits for training purposes. The report highlights the rebels' lack of genuine commitment to negotiated peace efforts with the DRC government, despite ongoing talks in Doha. Rwanda has justified its military presence in eastern DRC by citing the persistent threat posed by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), although the M23 and Rwandan forces have extended control well beyond areas of FDLR activity, blocking Congolese troops from countering the FDLR. The report further notes that Uganda conditions its material support to rebel movements on control of strategic zones near Lake Albert. Additionally, UN experts report that the ongoing Operation Shujaa, a joint military effort involving the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and the Ugandan People's Defense Force (UPDF), has yet to end violence in the region, with about half of the weapons used by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) originating from FARDC stockpiles. The findings underscore the complex regional dynamics involving Rwanda, Uganda, and various armed groups in eastern Congo, with significant implications for stability and resource control in the mineral-rich areas.