African leaders are waiting for a response to their call for a ceasefire in eastern DRC, urging military leaders from both the government and M23 to negotiate peace. The ongoing conflict has caused thousands of deaths and injures, displacing many. The situation requires urgent humanitarian assistance, with previous peace efforts proving unsuccessful.
African leaders are currently awaiting a response regarding their recent call for military leaders from both the Congolese government and the M23 armed group to negotiate a ceasefire amid ongoing conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). At a summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, representatives from eastern and southern African nations urged an immediate meeting of commanders to devise a peace agreement regarding the situation. They specifically asked that military leaders convene within five days to discuss an unconditional ceasefire.
The urgent call for peace comes after the M23 faction captured Goma, the main city of eastern DRC, and has advanced into the neighboring South Kivu province. This situation has resulted in more than 3,000 deaths and a significant number of injuries, leading to thousands of individuals fleeing their homes, according to UN reports. Humanitarian corridors were also advocated for to facilitate the evacuation of the deceased and injured, emphasizing the dire humanitarian need in the region.
The ongoing conflict is fueled by a historical backdrop of tensions between Rwanda and the DRC. Rwanda asserts that the DRC is harboring the FDLR, a group connected to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, while a UN report highlighted the presence of Rwandan troops engaged in illegal resource exploitation in the DRC. UN rights chief Volker Turk has cautioned that without immediate action, the dire circumstances for people in eastern DRC may worsen, affecting the broader region as well.
This latest peace initiative is led by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community. Previous attempts at negotiations, including talks in Angola and Kenya, have collapsed, and multiple ceasefires failed to hold. Kenyan President William Ruto, chair of the East African Community, implored all parties to adhere to the ceasefire and called on the M23 to cease its advances while urging Congolese forces to refrain from retaliation.
The situation in eastern DRC has been exacerbated by recurring armed conflicts, particularly involving the M23 militia group, which alleges grievances against the government but is viewed as an aggressor in the region. Historical tensions with neighboring Rwanda, rooted in the legacy of the Rwandan genocide, complicate the conflict further. Efforts by various African organizations to facilitate negotiations and peace agreements have been unsuccessful, leading to prolonged violence and humanitarian crises affecting the local population and creating instability in the region.
As African leaders await responses to their ceasefire appeal, the pressing need for peace in eastern DRC remains critical amid escalating violence. The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, affecting thousands of civilians. With previous peace efforts failing, it is essential for all parties involved to engage in meaningful dialogue and commitment to cease hostilities to prevent further regional destabilization.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
