Rwanda Advocates Ceasefire and Negotiations in Eastern Congo Conflict
Rwanda has proposed a ceasefire in eastern Congo and negotiations with M23 rebels following their capture of Goma. Despite accusations of Rwandan military aid to M23, Rwandan officials maintain their military actions are defensive. The DRC views M23 as terrorists and has resisted direct negotiations. Ethnic tensions and historical conflicts continue to exacerbate the situation.
On Wednesday, Rwanda urged for a ceasefire in eastern Congo and advocated for negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels, despite accusations of Rwandan military support for the M23. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed that fighting in Goma has ceased since the rebels took control, while reports of looting and sporadic gunfire persisted.
Nduhungirehe emphasized Rwanda’s long-standing call for dialogue, stating, “Rwanda supports that there be a ceasefire in the whole region and that there be a dialogue, which we have been requesting for a long time between the DRC and M23.” Despite international claims of Rwandan troop involvement, he maintained that their military actions were strictly defensive.
M23 rebels made advances southward from Goma towards Bukavu, suggesting an expansion of their territorial control. Nduhungirehe remarked that the fall of Goma undermined the authority of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi, asserting that negotiation is now the only viable escape for the DRC.
Congo views M23 as a terrorist organization and has refused to engage in direct talks with the group. The DRC’s Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner has called for the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on Rwanda for its alleged backing of the M23. The current fighting is rooted in the historical ethnic tensions that have influenced the region’s conflicts.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has historical roots in ethnic tensions, particularly between Hutus and Tutsis, which continue to fuel violence. The M23 rebel group has been accused of advancing through mineral-rich regions following a breakdown in peace talks between Congo and Rwanda. The recent capture of Goma by M23 has escalated the already strained relationship between the two nations, raising international concerns about Rwanda’s involvement. The geopolitical landscape is complicated, with accusations of Rwanda aiding the rebels while Rwanda claims it has no military presence in Congo. The international community, including the U.N. and various nations, is scrutinizing the situation, advocating for peace and negotiation to prevent further escalations.
In summary, Rwanda has called for a ceasefire in eastern Congo and encourages dialogue between the DRC and M23 rebels, rejecting claims of military support for the latter. The situation in Goma remains tense with reports of looting, while international parties continue to express concern over the implications of Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict. The pressing need for negotiations highlights the precarious balance in this volatile region.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
