Rwandan and Congolese Leaders to Address Rising Conflict in Eastern DRC
Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi are meeting in Tanzania amidst an escalating conflict in eastern DRC. The M23 armed group has seized significant territory, including Goma, leading to widespread violence and displacement. Efforts to resolve the crisis through past peace talks have failed, prompting regional leaders to convene for a summit to seek effective solutions.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is scheduled to meet with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in Tanzania to discuss the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The M23 armed group has launched a significant offensive, capturing key territories, including the strategic city of Goma, resulting in thousands of casualties and mass displacements. Regional leaders are convening in Dar es Salaam for a summit aimed at resolving this ongoing crisis, which has lasted for decades.
Since its resurgence in 2021, multiple attempts at peace negotiations, sponsored by Angola and Kenya, have not yielded successful outcomes. The summit brings together eight countries from the East African Community along with the South African Development Community. Rwanda has denied involvement with the M23 militants, despite a U.N. report suggesting that Rwanda has approximately 4,000 troops in DRC and profits from the illegal extraction of gold and coltan, a vital mineral for electronic devices.
Amidst the M23’s advance toward the town of Kavumu, local residents are expressing alarm. Kavumu is critical for supplying Congolese armed forces and serves as the last barrier protecting the provincial capital, Bukavu. Panic has spread, with local businesses barricading themselves and educational institutions halting classes due to concerns about looting and violence. A resident reported, “The border with Rwanda is open but almost impassable because of the number of people trying to cross. It is total chaos.”
U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk has stated that nearly 3,000 deaths and around 2,880 injuries have been recorded since the M23 entered Goma. The actual numbers may be considerably higher, with allegations of horrific human rights violations, including sexual violence and slavery, being investigated. The group has established its own authorities in Goma and claims it will push onward to Kinshasa, the national capital, despite the considerable distance involved.
The Congolese army, often criticized for its lack of training and corruption, has faced numerous setbacks during the offensive, prompting fears of a potential wider regional conflict, given the military support being offered to the DRC by several neighboring countries. On Friday, foreign ministers from various nations gathered in Tanzania, leading up to the leaders’ summit, where Kenyan foreign secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized the critical need for a unified peace process to address the crisis effectively.
The eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has been a site of ongoing conflict for decades, intensified by the activities of various armed groups, notably the M23. This group has re-emerged in recent years, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis marked by violence, displacements, and human rights abuses. Tensions between Rwanda and the DRC also fuel the conflict, with accusations and counteraccusations over military support and territorial sovereignty, prompting regional leaders to seek resolution through summits and negotiations.
In summary, the meeting between Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi is critical in addressing the alarming escalation of the conflict in eastern DRC. As the M23 continues to advance, regional cooperation and diplomatic efforts are essential to mitigate further violence and humanitarian suffering. The ongoing situation necessitates urgent action from regional leaders to find a sustainable solution that ensures peace and stability in the region.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
