Congo has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda amid escalating violence from M23 rebels approaching Goma, leading to civilian displacement and casualties among peacekeepers. The U.N. Security Council is convening to address the crisis, while local residents flee in search of safety as fighting intensifies in the region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially cut diplomatic relations with Rwanda amidst escalating hostilities involving Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who are closing in on the strategic city of Goma. The intensified conflict has resulted in at least 13 documented casualties among peacekeepers and foreign soldiers, while thousands of civilians have been displaced, prompting urgent humanitarian concerns.
The M23 militia, largely composed of ethnic Tutsis, has made considerable advances along the Rwanda-Congo border recently. Goma, the provincial capital with a population of roughly 2 million, serves as a critical hub for regional security and humanitarian operations. The United States and the United Nations have both raised alarms, alleging that Rwanda provides support to the M23 group, which has been a central player among numerous armed factions vying for control in this mineral-rich area.
Rwanda has contested these allegations but has acknowledged deploying troops and missile systems in eastern Congo, citing security threats stemming from rising Congolese military presence near its border. According to United Nations assessments, there could be as many as 4,000 Rwandan troops currently operating on Congolese soil. In a decisive move, the Congolese foreign ministry announced on Saturday that all diplomatic relations with Rwanda will cease immediately, with all diplomatic personnel recalled.
An emergency session of the U.N. Security Council has been hastily convened to address the escalating violence in eastern Congo, initially set for Monday but moved to Sunday at Congo’s request. Gunfire was reported near Goma, prompting many civilians, particularly from the Kanyaruchinya camp, to escape towards south Goma in search of safety. “We are fleeing because we saw soldiers on the border with Rwanda throwing bombs and shooting,” stated a local resident, reflecting the desperation and fear gripping the population.
Many fleeing individuals expressed concern over their safety even within Goma, as fears of further bombings loom large. Some attempted to cross into Rwanda for refuge, while migration officers carefully checked their documentation. Earlier in the week, rebels captured Sake, located a mere 27 kilometers from Goma, causing alarm regarding the city’s imminent fall.
Congo’s armed forces reported that they successfully repelled an M23 offensive with assistance from allied troops, including those from the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC). Recent conflicts have reportedly led to the deaths of several soldiers, including peacekeepers from multiple countries, highlighting the ongoing peril faced by both military and civilian populations in the region.
The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has deep historical roots, entangled in regional ethnic tensions and competition for rich natural resources. The M23 rebel group emerged in 2012, claiming to defend the rights of the Tutsi population in Congo, and has been accused of receiving support from the Rwandan government. The situation has persisted despite international peacekeeping efforts, particularly by the U.N. and regional organizations, resulting in severe humanitarian crises, characterized by widespread displacement and violence.
In summary, the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Congo and Rwanda amidst the advance of the M23 rebels presents a significant escalation in the ongoing violence in eastern Congo. With thousands displaced and international peacekeeping efforts under threat, the situation remains precarious. The international community is urged to respond urgently to mitigate the humanitarian impact and address the underlying causes of the conflict.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
