African Leaders Advocate for Ceasefire in Eastern DRC Conflict
African leaders have called for a ceasefire in eastern DRC amid ongoing fighting between M23 rebels and government forces. A meeting has been proposed within five days for military leaders to negotiate peace. The humanitarian crisis is severe, with thousands killed and displaced. Efforts for resolution have faced challenges, and regional cooperation is crucial to stabilize the situation and ensure the safety of civilians.
African leaders are awaiting a response from military leaders regarding their call for a ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where fighting continues between the M23 armed group and Congolese government forces. This request was made during a recent summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, attended by leaders from various eastern and southern African nations. They have urged both commanders to convene within five days to negotiate a peace agreement, which includes technical details for an unconditional ceasefire.
Additionally, the leaders emphasized the need for humanitarian corridors to allow for the evacuation of casualties. The discussions followed strategic talks involving Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who participated through video conference. Recent escalations saw M23 forces capturing Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, prompting a surge in violence, leading to significant casualties and displacements as reported by the United Nations.
A UN report indicated that Rwandan troops are present in the DRC, allegedly profiting from illegal resource extraction. Rwanda, in turn, has accused the DRC of harboring the FDLR, a group formed by Hutus responsible for mass killings during the 1994 genocide. UN rights chief Volker Turk warned that if swift action is not taken, the situation for civilians could worsen dramatically, affecting not just DRC but the wider region.
The East African Community and the Southern African Development Community have been engaged in resolving the crisis, yet previous peace initiatives and ceasefires have repeatedly failed. Kenyan President William Ruto has urged all factions to adhere to a ceasefire, specifically calling for the M23 to halt its advances and for DRC’s armed forces to refrain from retaliatory actions. A planned meeting between Kagame and Tshisekedi to finalize a peace agreement was previously canceled, with both nations pointing fingers at each other for the setback.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has echoed calls for cooperation towards a ceasefire, acknowledging the potential for the conflict to destabilize the entire region, noting that the situation is critical at this juncture.
The conflict in eastern DRC involves prolonged violence between the Congolese government forces and the M23 armed group. The M23 is a rebel group formed in 2012, and its resurgence in 2021 has escalated tensions in the region. The humanitarian crisis has led to thousands of casualties and the displacement of many civilians. Efforts by various African leaders and regional organizations to broker peace have struggled against the backdrop of historical tensions, resource competition, and accusations between neighboring countries. Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict, alongside accusations of DRC harboring rival militia groups, has heightened regional instability. Moreover, several ceasefire agreements have collapsed, worsening the humanitarian situation. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a sustainable resolution to prevent further escalation and restore peace to the region.
The ongoing crisis in eastern DRC has drawn regional leaders to place immense pressure on both warring parties for immediate dialogue and a ceasefire. Repeated failures of peace processes highlight the complexity of the conflict, rooted in historical grievances and resource exploitation. The responsibility lies with both military leaders and national governments to prioritize humanitarian concerns and develop a framework for lasting peace and stability in the region.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
