KIGALI, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Rwanda was accused in a United Nations report of supporting a rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, straining its relations with Kinshasa and longstanding Western allies.
President Paul Kagame's government has consistently denied backing the rebel movement, known as M23.
Following are political risks to watch in the country.
AID SUSPENSIONS
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Rwanda and other Great Lakes states to stop supporting the M23 rebels.
Donors including the United States, the Netherlands and Germany have suspended some of their financial aid to Rwanda over the accusations that it is backing the rebels.
What to watch:
- Will other donors follow Britain, which earlier this month unblocked about half its ${esc.dollar}25 million aid to Rwanda, welcoming Kigali's constructive efforts to solve the conflict?
CONGO REBELLION
Although regional states have agreed to a 4,000-strong force to try to neutralise the M23 rebels, Western diplomatic sources are sceptical the force will get off the ground.
No progress was made on the force's composition or financing at a heads of state meeting this month in the Ugandan capital, Kampala. Rwandan President Kagame was a no-show.
What to watch:
- How Rwanda responds to persistent calls for an end to its alleged support of the Tutsi-dominated mutineers, and whether there will be further fallout between Kigali and Kinshasa.
POLITICAL OPPONENTS, INTERNAL RIFTS
Kagame was re-elected by a landslide in 2010 for a final term that expires in 2017. He has led his country's recovery from the 1994 genocide, and has received praise for his efforts to transform Rwanda into a middle-income country by 2020.
But critics accuse him of being authoritarian and trampling on media and political freedoms.
What to watch:
- How will Kagame react to pressure from opposition parties and the West for political liberalisation?
SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT
The UN will decide on Rwanda's application for a seat on the Security Council in October.
Observers say approval is almost certain at this point, but the decision will be a key indicator of the U.N.'s attitude towards Rwanda in the wake of its accusations over supporting M23. (Editing by Richard Lough and Jason Neely)
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