Three South African peacekeepers have been killed in ongoing clashes in eastern DRC between the Congolese army and M23 rebels. Despite international efforts to halt M23’s advance toward Goma, fighting has intensified. The UN is evacuating non-essential staff due to escalating violence, with the humanitarian crisis deepening as thousands are displaced.
In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, three South African peacekeepers tragically lost their lives amid escalating violence involving the Congolese army and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. Despite international appeals urging the M23 to cease its advance on Goma, fighting has intensified. Following unsuccessful peace negotiations led by Angola, the M23 has made significant territorial gains, threatening the safety of Goma, a city of over a million inhabitants.
Recent reports indicate that, despite ongoing artillery exchanges in the region, daily life in Goma appeared largely unaffected, with shops remaining open. However, intense combat has surged within a few miles of the city over the past several days, raising alarms about potential humanitarian and security crises. The European Union has strongly condemned Rwanda’s military support for the M23.
Angola’s President Joao Lourenco, assigned as mediator by the African Union, criticized the M23’s aggressive moves, warning of detrimental impacts on regional stability. Concurrently, the United Nations has initiated the evacuation of “non-essential” staff from Goma as international governments, including the UK, US, and France, advised their citizens to depart the area promptly, citing security concerns.
The United Nations Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) has confirmed active combat engagement against M23 positions and reported significant artillery operations. The Democratic Alliance political party in South Africa has confirmed the deaths and injuries of South African peacekeepers during the M23-affiliated attack on Sake. They reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment by contributing troops to a peacekeeping mission sanctioned by the Southern African Development Community.
In light of the current crisis, the UN Security Council plans to convene an emergency meeting to address ongoing violence. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed alarm at this resurgence of conflict which poses risks of broader regional instability. The conflict in eastern DRC has displaced approximately 400,000 individuals since January, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in this historically volatile region.
The M23, which has previously occupied Goma, continues to face allegations of Rwandan military support, a claim that remains denied by Kigali. Diplomatic solutions have largely faltered, with previous meetings between Congolese and Rwandan leaders yielding no agreements. Turkey has offered its mediation support to resolve the ongoing tensions, amidst a history of failed ceasefires.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has persisted for over three decades, primarily fueled by complex political and territorial disputes, often intertwined with external influences, particularly from Rwanda. The recent surge in violence, notably involving the M23 rebels and the support rumored from Rwanda, has raised international concern. The humanitarian crisis is further aggravated by continuous displacements and the struggle for control over the wealth of minerals found in the region, with peacekeeping forces, including those from South Africa, attempting to stabilize the area.
The tragic deaths of South African peacekeepers underscore the escalating violence in eastern DRC, driven by the M23’s advances toward Goma. Despite international calls for peace and recent evacuations ordered by the UN, the situation remains precarious. Diplomatic efforts aimed at resolution have notably faltered, and the potential for a wider regional conflict looms over the already suffering population, necessitating urgent international attention.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
