Rwanda and Uganda, which will receive £75 million and £101.5 million of British aid respectively this year, are giving "direct military support" to the "M23" guerrillas in Congo, according to a UN "Group of Experts".
The "M23" movement, led by an indicted war criminal, has started a new round of bloodshed in eastern Congo, forcing about 470,000 people to flee their homes since March.
Andrew Mitchell, the former International Development Secretary, delayed a payment of £16 million of British money to Rwanda when these allegations first surfaced in July. On his last day in office before moving to become Chief Whip last month, Mr Mitchell released this sum into Rwandan government coffers, with half the money tied to health and education.
At the time, the Congolese government accused Mr Mitchell of sending a "disastrous signal" to Rwanda, while Human Rights Watch also voiced its concern. The fact that the UN's experts have issued a final report confirming their earlier charges against Rwanda will reopen the debate about the wisdom of Mr Mitchell's decision. He remains under political pressure because of the row over his behaviour towards a Downing Street police officer.
"The Government of Rwanda continues to violate the arms embargo through direct military support to M23 rebels," reads the 44-page report, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters news agency. This help comes in the form of "recruitment" along with the "provision of arms and ammunition, intelligence, and political advice".
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