Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi are meeting in Tanzania to address escalating conflicts in eastern DRC, where the M23 armed group has captured key territories, including Goma. Thousands have been killed and displaced, prompting urgent regional dialogue as tensions heighten. This summit aims to foster a unified strategy for peace, combining previous unsuccessful peace talks.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi are scheduled to meet in Tanzania as part of regional efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC. The M23 armed group has made significant territorial gains in this mineral-rich region, resulting in widespread fatalities and displacements. Recently, the M23 captured the strategic city of Goma and is advancing into South Kivu province amidst escalating tensions.
The summit in Dar es Salaam will gather leaders from the East African Community and the South African Development Community to discuss the crisis. Efforts towards peace, particularly those facilitated by Angola and Kenya since the re-emergence of the M23 in 2021, have yet to yield success. Rwanda has denied providing military support to the M23, despite a UN report indicating the presence of Rwandan troops in the DRC involved in illegal resource extraction.
Local anxieties are escalating as the M23 advances toward Kavumu, an area critical for supplying Congolese military forces. Residents of Bukavu, nearby the advancing forces, have begun barricading shops and suspending academic activities in fear of impending violence. “The border with Rwanda is open but almost impassable… It’s total chaos,” remarked a local resident.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk has reported nearly 3,000 confirmed deaths and thousands injured since the M23 entered Goma, with ample allegations of sexual violence being investigated. The M23 has established its own local governance in Goma, proclaiming intentions to reach Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, despite the vast distance.
The DRC army, notorious for issues regarding training and corruption, has experienced a series of retreats in the wake of the M23’s offensive. Concerns about a potential regional conflict are mounting, especially since multiple nations are providing military support to the DRC. The summit was preceded by meetings among regional foreign ministers, emphasizing the urgent need for a cohesive approach to peaceful resolutions.
The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has deep roots, influenced by the M23 armed group, which resurfaced in 2021. The group’s operations have led to a significant humanitarian crisis, prompting international attention and diplomatic interventions. The complex dynamics involving Rwanda and DRC, exacerbated by historical tensions and accusations of militia support, necessitate a collaborative approach among East African nations to prevent further escalation. As regional tensions rise, the stability of the DRC remains critical for its neighbors and the larger East African region.
The imminent meeting between Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi represents a crucial chance for dialogue amidst a dire humanitarian crisis due to the M23’s aggressive territorial advances in eastern DRC. With thousands displaced and a potential for escalated violence, regional leaders must unify efforts for a negotiated resolution. The discussion’s outcomes could significantly influence peace prospects and stability within and beyond DRC’s borders.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
