Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi are set to meet in Tanzania on Saturday to discuss the escalating conflict due to the M23 armed group’s rapid territorial gains in eastern DRC. The situation has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, prompting fears of regional instability as local populations evacuate amid chaotic conditions.
On Saturday, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is scheduled to meet with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in Tanzania, as regional leaders address the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The M23 armed group has rapidly taken control of significant areas in eastern DRC, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. With the recent capture of the strategic city of Goma, M23 is advancing into South Kivu province amid ongoing upheaval in the region.
Kagame and Tshisekedi’s meeting in Dar es Salaam will gather leaders from the eight East African Community countries and the 16-member South African Development Community. Since the M23’s resurgence in 2021, previous peace talks mediated by Angola and Kenya have ended unsuccessfully. Rwanda has denied providing military assistance to M23, even as a U.N. report indicated its military presence and illicit extraction of valuable resources from DRC.
Rwanda accuses the DRC of harboring the FDLR, an armed group linked to the genocide of Tutsis during the 1994 Rwandan conflict. The summit is timely as M23 edges closer to Kavumu, a key location for logistics supporting Congolese forces. Residents in Bukavu are reacting with panic; businesses are shutting down, schools are suspending classes, and there is significant congestion at the border with Rwanda due to mass evacuations.
U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Turk cautioned that failure to act could lead to severe consequences for eastern DRC and its neighbors. As of February 26, Turk confirmed nearly 3,000 deaths and almost 3,000 injuries since the M23 captured Goma. His team is also examining reports of severe human rights violations, including sexual violence and slavery amidst the conflict.
The M23 has established its governance in Goma and has declared intentions to advance to Kinshasa, despite the considerable distance involved. The Congolese army, known for its challenges related to training and corruption, has suffered multiple defeats. This continued aggression raises concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict as several countries, such as South Africa, Burundi, and Malawi, have taken military actions in support of DRC.
As regional foreign ministers convened in Tanzania on Friday, Kenyan Foreign Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized the critical opportunity to consolidate peace efforts. He proposed merging prior peace initiatives facilitated by Angola and Kenya into a cohesive approach to address the ongoing crisis.
The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo is deeply rooted, stemming from decades of instability exacerbated by the tragic history of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and subsequent conflicts involving various armed groups. The M23 armed group has resurfaced, seeking control over eastern DRC, a region rich in minerals such as gold and coltan, leading to treacherous military confrontations and dire humanitarian crises. The involvement of neighboring countries further complicates the situation, as regional leaders pursue collaborative solutions to restore peace.
In conclusion, the upcoming summit in Tanzania represents an essential strategic dialogue between Rwanda and the DRC amidst the urgent humanitarian crisis sparked by the M23 rebellion. With continued violence posing an expanding threat beyond DRC’s borders, the unprecedented urgency for unified regional peace initiatives is paramount. The path toward lasting peace requires collaboration, effective dialogue, and addressing underlying issues of military support and human rights violations.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
