DR Congo President Calls for Action Against Rwanda Amid Escalating Conflict
Felix Tshisekedi, President of the DRC, seeks countermeasures against Rwanda amid rising tensions and violence in eastern Congo. He highlighted the displacement of over seven million people due to ongoing conflicts. Rwandan officials deny destabilizing actions, stating they are victims of the crisis as well. M23 rebels have claimed recent territorial gains, exacerbating the humanitarian situation.
During the Munich Security Conference, Felix Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), called for “countermeasures” against Rwanda due to escalating conflicts in eastern Congo. He emphasized that Rwanda has consistently provoked such tensions for several years without any responses from his government. Tshisekedi highlighted the urgent need to address these issues to prevent further instability on the African continent, noting that over seven million people are internally displaced in Congo as a result of ongoing conflict.
Rwandan Defense Minister Juvenal Marizamunda, present at the panel, sought to clarify Rwanda’s position regarding the crisis. He stated that Rwanda has been adversely affected by the instability in the DRC and holds no interest in a chaotic neighbor. Despite his insistence, moderator Christoph Heusgen suggested that a dialogue between the two nations would be more constructive than public declarations.
The M23 rebel group reported capturing Kavumu Airport, located 25 kilometers from Bukavu, along with making advances into the provincial capital. This takeover adds to the already alarming humanitarian crisis; since January 26, over 3,000 individuals have been killed, 2,880 injured, and more than 500,000 displaced. The situation escalates existing tensions as the Congolese government accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim that Kigali continues to reject.
The conflict in eastern Congo, highlighted during the Munich Security Conference, underscores the ongoing tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. President Tshisekedi’s call for countermeasures and the insistence on dialogue illustrate the complexities and urgent humanitarian crisis pervading the region. The international community must closely monitor these developments to support peace efforts and address the grave impacts on civilians.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
