Rwanda entered the global spotlight as it took up its non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on January 1, replacing South Africa.

The accession, following an October 2012 vote, places Rwanda — which is facing accusations by a UN panel of supporting the rebellion by the M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo — at the centre of a group tasked with maintaining peace globally.

READ: Rwanda wins UN Security Council seat

In November, analysts in the US warned that Rwanda may use its two-year term on the UN Security Council to block actions related to its alleged support of M23 rebels in eastern DRC.

However, on December 31 the council imposed an arms embargo on the M23 and FDLR rebel groups in an attempt to quell fighting in Congo’s conflict-wracked eastern region.

The council committee monitoring sanctions against Congo also imposed a travel ban and financial freeze on the assets of two M23 leaders — the rebel group’s president Jean-Marie Runiga and one of its military commanders, Lt Col Eric Badege.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied any involvement in the rebellion.

The US experts said President Paul Kagame could use his new international leverage to attempt to block UN sanctions against his country, or high-ranking officials in his government.

But, as one of 10 temporary members of the Council, Rwanda will have no power to veto decisions.

Analysts said Rwanda may seek to weaken the UN Group of Experts who charged Kigali in their recent report with leading the M23 rebels.

“They probably feel they can play a spoiler role on the Council for UNSC action against themselves and Uganda,” said Aaron Hall, a policy analyst at the Washington-based Enough Project in October.

Jason Stearns, a former member of the UN Group on Experts said: “You can imagine a situation where the US would look the other way when it comes to decisions or votes in the UNSC, in exchange for Rwanda backing them in other issues of global importance.”

Mr Stearns is the author of Dancing in the Glory of Monsters, a history of the Congo wars of 1996-2003.

But Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo denied any ulterior motives saying the country is taking up its place at the world body to work with other countries to promote peace and security.

“The UNSC seat should not be linked to Congo or M23. It is about Rwanda, not about DRC,” Ms Mushikiwabo told The EastAfrican last week.

“On the UN Security Council, Rwanda will work diligently with 14 other countries to advance global security and Africa’s interests,” Ms Mushikiwabo said.

To maximise its two years occupying the seat, Rwanda has modified its presence at the New York-based world body to include a portfolio for the country’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Cooperation.

Rwanda’s permanent ambassador to the UN Richard Eugene Gasana will occupy the new portfolio and represent the country’s interests in New York following a vote on November 18.

Rwanda will head two committees at the council that were previously chaired by South Africa. This was revealed by Rwanda’s Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN Olivier Nduhungirehe.

“Rwanda will chair two United Nations Security Council subsidiary bodies; the 1970 Sanctions Committee on Libya and the Working Group on prevention of conflicts in Africa,” Mr Nduhungirehe said on social networking site Twitter.

The first time Rwanda sat on the UNSC was from 1993-94. The country’s presence at the world body did not stop the genocide from taking place.