The DRC’s Foreign Minister accused Rwanda of illegal occupation following M23’s capture of Goma. Rwandan officials deny involvement, asserting their troops’ role is to prevent conflict. Humanitarian crises escalate with thousands displaced and recent fighting resulting in fatalities among peacekeepers. The U.N. and U.S. call for immediate ceasefire amid fears of further violence.
On January 31, the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, accused Rwanda of occupying Congolese territory amid the ongoing conflict with the M23 rebel group, which recently captured the eastern city of Goma. Wagner suggested that Rwanda aims to orchestrate regime change in the DRC, as global leaders have not held Rwandan President Paul Kagame accountable for alleged violations of international law.
The M23 rebel group’s primary advances have occurred in South Kivu province, bordering Rwanda and Burundi. Despite these allegations, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo has denied involvement with the rebel group, claiming that Rwandan forces are deployed solely to prevent the spread of conflict, asserting, “We are not interested in war, we are not interested in annexation, we are not interested in regime change.”
The takeover of Goma, a city of nearly 2 million people, has led to fears of violence and starvation, with tens of thousands losing their water and electricity access. As of last week, approximately 178,000 Congolese citizens had been displaced due to the uprisings, highlighting the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict.
Congolese officials have accused M23 of exploiting the region’s rich mineral resources, a sentiment echoed by the United Nations, which has reported on the group’s actions. In response to the situation, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the M23 offensives, urging immediate cessation and withdrawal from occupied areas by July 31, 2024.
The United States has voiced support for the U.N. Secretary-General’s call for an immediate ceasefire, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concerns over the situation and communicating directly with President Kagame. Furthermore, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an emergency meeting to address the escalating security threats in eastern Congo.
Amid intensifying conflict, South Africa reported the tragic loss of 13 troops, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining peace in the region. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attributed the escalation of violence to the M23 and Rwandan forces’ actions against the Armed Forces of the DRC and the SADC peacekeepers, who have also endured casualties in the efforts to stabilize the area.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been experiencing significant turmoil due to the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, which has taken control of key areas, including Goma. The DRC’s government has accused neighboring Rwanda of illegal territorial occupation and complicity with the rebel forces, raising international concern about potential regional instability. The United Nations and other global leaders are calling for a ceasefire and intervention to prevent further humanitarian crises and violence in this mineral-rich region.
The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains precarious as accusations against Rwanda intensify amid the M23 conflict. The international community, led by the United Nations and the United States, is urging an immediate end to hostilities while grappling with the humanitarian fallout from the fighting. Regional stability and peacekeeping efforts are critical as the DRC faces escalating violence and displacement among its population.
Original Source: www.upi.com
