Rwanda denies helping M23 and says its forces are acting in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, including from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Paul Kagame gives cautious welcome to US-brokered agreement, but says success depends on goodwill from warring parties.

While leaders hail a recent peace deal between Rwanda and the DR Congo as a diplomatic breakthrough, observers say deep-rooted tensions and unresolved grievances remain major threats.The Rwandan and Congolese governments have lauded the recently signed peace agreement as a historic milestone to end fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.