Thirteen peacekeepers, including nine South Africans, were killed in clashes with M23 rebels in DR Congo. The violence has prompted global calls for a ceasefire, with UN personnel being evacuated from Goma. Diplomatic discussions are underway as accusations against Rwanda for supporting M23 intensify amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting hundreds of thousands.
Thirteen soldiers from peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) lost their lives during confrontations with M23 rebels. Reports indicate that nine South African soldiers perished while defending the city of Goma—a strategic location in eastern DR Congo—alongside three soldiers from Malawi and one from Uruguay. This incident marks a grave escalation in violence as clashes continue to disrupt the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in discussions with the leaders of DR Congo and Rwanda amid mounting international demands for an end to the violence. In light of the intensifying conflict, the United Nations has decided to evacuate non-essential personnel from Goma, a populous city of over one million residents. A UN Security Council meeting that was originally scheduled for Monday has been advanced to Sunday in response to these developments.
The M23 group has urged Congolese troops in Goma to surrender to avoid further bloodshed. Additionally, tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda have escalated as the former has severed diplomatic relations, accusing the latter of supporting the M23 rebellion. This development follows the assassination of a Congolese military governor by M23 fighters during a recent visit to the frontline.
Macron has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, consulting with both DR Congo and Rwanda’s leaders to stress the need for peace. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has condemned Rwanda’s backing of the M23 and urged the group to cease its advances. Angolan President Joao Lourenco also condemned the actions of the M23, advocating for an end to violence to protect civilians.
Hostilities between M23 militants and DR Congo’s armed forces have intensified since the beginning of the year, resulting in the rebels gaining unprecedented control over eastern regions. This conflict has displaced over 400,000 individuals, with local leaders reporting more than 200 civilians killed in areas captured by the rebels. Hospitals in Goma are currently overwhelmed with patients resulting from the ongoing clashes.
Human Rights Watch has raised alarms regarding the deteriorating condition for civilians amid these skirmishes, claiming both parties are responsible for serious human rights abuses. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, exacerbated by the ongoing confrontations. The M23 has obtained significant control over mineral-rich areas in eastern DR Congo, displacing numerous individuals since 2021.
While the DR Congo and the United Nations claim that M23 is backed by Rwanda, the Rwandan government has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations. Rwanda has previously accused DR Congo of collaborating with individuals accountable for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, highlighting the complex historical context of their relationship. Initially formed to safeguard the Tutsi population from persecution, M23 has faced accusations of exploiting eastern DR Congo’s natural resources for its benefit.
The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo involves multiple factions, with M23 being a prominent rebel group formed in 2012. This group initially aimed to protect the Tutsi minority, which faced persecution in eastern DR Congo. The complex nature of the conflict involves broader regional dynamics, particularly the historical animosities between DR Congo and Rwanda. The humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the conflict has led to significant displacement and suffering among civilians, leading various international actors to call for peace and stability in the region.
The recent killing of thirteen foreign peacekeepers underscores the escalating violence in eastern DR Congo as confrontations between M23 rebels and national forces continue to intensify. Diplomatic efforts by international leaders aim to reduce hostilities, yet the situation remains dire, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. The United Nations has been compelled to withdraw personnel, highlighting the urgent need for a concerted resolution to restore peace in the region.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
