New York-based NGO Human Rights Watch has said the US is blocking the publication of a UN inquiry into rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The UN report includes details of Rwandan funding for the rebels in the neighbouring country.
The rebels are led by General Bosco Ntaganda, also known as ‘Terminator’, who is wanted for committing war crimes.
Rebels in the region operate rackets under which precious minerals are extracted.
Rwanda, a key US-ally in the region, has denied the allegations. The US says it has not blocked the release of the report, but it has been several days since the expected publication of it.
A UN ‘Group of Experts’ compiled the report on the activities of rebels in eastern DR Congo. It contains details of various breaches of sanctions imposed on rebels by the UN, including the transfer of weapons and entry by Gen Ntaganda and his allies into Rwanda.
"The US and other Security Council members should do everything they can," Human Rights Watch said, "to expose violations of UN sanctions, including by Rwanda, and not attempt to cover them up."
“The role played by some Rwandan military officials in supporting and harboring an ICC war crimes suspect can’t just be swept under the rug,” said Anneke Van Woudenberg, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“The Rwandan government should immediately stop all support to Ntaganda and assist in his arrest.”