Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame supported a ceasefire in eastern Congo aligned with U.S. officials but resisted calls for Rwandan troop withdrawal. The M23 rebels recently captured Goma amid severe violence and displacement. The U.N. Security Council is urged to consider actions to stabilize the region, while ongoing tensions reflect a historical backdrop of conflict rooted in the Rwandan genocide.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame acknowledged the need for a ceasefire in eastern Congo, aligning with U.S. government views. However, he refrained from committing to the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and the M23 rebels they support, who recently advanced into Goma, escalating the ongoing conflict. The U.S. has urged the United Nations Security Council to consider actions to halt the rebels’ offensive, which has displaced thousands.
In Goma, where the situation was described as mostly calm following intense fighting, sporadic gunfire continued, and reports of looting were rampant. President Kagame shared on social media about a productive discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the urgency of ensuring a ceasefire and addressing the root causes of the conflict.
Rubio expressed the U.S. administration’s deep concern about the deterioration of the situation, which is linked to a historical context that includes the Rwandan genocide and competition for mineral resources in Congo. The U.N. peacekeeping head and the Congo government have accused Rwandan troops of backing M23 rebels, which Rwanda claims is a self-defense measure against Congolese militias.
Recent exchanges of gunfire occurred across the border as insurgents solidified their control over Goma, a crucial hub for mineral trade. Reports from local residents indicated continued violence, with explosions and gunfire heard in surrounding areas, while infrastructure services like electricity and internet were disrupted.
The M23 insurgency, supported by Rwanda, represents the most recent in a series of conflicts rooted in historical ethnic strife since the Rwandan genocide. Rwanda alleges that remnants of Hutu militias have sought refuge in Congo, threatening both Congolese Tutsis and Rwandan stability, while Congo maintains that Rwanda exploits these circumstances to exercise control over valuable resources.
The conflicts in eastern Congo echo a complex history interlinked with the Rwandan genocide of the 1990s. After the genocide, many Hutu extremists fled to Congo, leading to a protracted struggle involving Rwandan-backed Tutsi rebels fighting for control over rich mineral resources. This history has fostered deep-seated tensions between the two nations, contributing to ongoing violence and instability in the region.
In summary, the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo remains a significant concern for both Rwanda and the U.S., highlighting complex historical grievances and geopolitical dynamics. President Kagame’s call for a ceasefire, while refusing to withdraw troops, underscores the delicate balance of power in the area. The situation remains critical, with violence persisting and calls for international intervention mounting.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
