Rwanda-backed M23 fighters have advanced in eastern DR Congo, capturing Goma and other areas. The situation has led to an urgent humanitarian crisis, international calls for peace talks, and increased tensions between DRC and Rwanda, where accusations of involvement persist. Despite this, the DRC government remains resistant to negotiations.
Rwanda-backed fighters have made significant advances in their military campaign across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), seizing control of much of the city of Goma after intense fighting with local military forces. The M23 armed group has intensified its offensive, prompting international calls, particularly from Angola, for urgent diplomatic discussions amid rising concerns over a humanitarian crisis in the region.
Following weeks of conflict, the situation in Goma, which is located near the Rwandan border, has caused severe hardships for residents, including dire shortages of food and medical supplies. Reports indicate that calm has returned to Goma as some residents venture from their homes, but the humanitarian situation remains precarious. “There is hunger in Goma. We have to go get water from the lake and we have no medicine,” expressed resident Kahindo Sifa.
In the broader context, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi declined to attend peace talks that involved Rwandan President Paul Kagame, despite pressure from the East African Community, which urged direct engagement between the Congolese government and the M23. Angola has called for a rapid meeting between the two leaders to discuss the escalating conflict’s consequences.
As M23 fighters seized various areas in South Kivu Province, the United Nations reported that half a million people have been displaced this month due to the ongoing violence. The recent clashes in Goma have resulted in over a hundred deaths and numerous injuries amid desperate conditions in overflowing hospitals.
Currently, M23 fighters and Rwandan troops control significant parts of Goma, with Congolese soldiers reported to have fled or been captured. Eyewitness accounts describe widespread looting, and electricity cuts have left residents feeling isolated. Demonstrations against foreign intervention and inaction have erupted in Kinshasa, leading to the banning of further protests in the capital.
Pressure has increased on Rwanda, with calls from the UN, US, China, and the EU for the withdrawal of its forces from the DRC. However, Rwanda maintains that the M23 will continue its advance, claiming the operation aims to neutralize armed groups threatening their national security. Accusations suggest that Rwanda seeks to exploit the DRC’s mineral wealth amid the continued conflict, a charge that Rwanda has consistently denied.
In summary, the humanitarian situation in the DRC is deteriorating amidst the aggressive military advances of the M23. International meditations have yet to yield results, and peace talks remain elusive, keeping the region on edge as fighting continues. The implications of the conflict extend beyond immediate violence, affecting the broader geopolitical balance in Central Africa.
The conflict in eastern DRC has its roots in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, where millions of refugees fled into surrounding areas, exacerbating tensions between local and Rwandan ethnic groups. This region, rich in minerals such as gold and cobalt, has been a focal point of armed conflict, often fueled by competition for resources. The M23 group, comprising mostly Congolese Tutsi fighters, has been accused of receiving support from Rwanda, leading to accusations of external interference by the Congolese government; this backdrop plays a crucial role in understanding the current crisis.
The escalating conflict in the DRC involves significant international and regional dimensions, with the M23 armed group continuing to exert military pressure on the Congolese government and its forces. The humanitarian repercussions are severe, affecting half a million people and leading to increasing calls for peace talks. The situation highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions in Central Africa that require urgent attention and resolution.
Original Source: www.kpvi.com
