The M23 rebel group is advancing towards Bukavu in DR Congo after capturing Goma, prompting international concern over the humanitarian crisis and regional stability. Rwanda’s role in the conflict has been contested, with allegations of its backing for the rebels amid a backdrop of historical grievances and resource exploitation. The situation has led to emergency meetings among regional leaders and heightened calls for intervention.
Goma (AFP) – The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, has made significant advances towards South Kivu’s provincial capital, Bukavu, by capturing key territories, including a strategic military airfield. This escalation follows their recent capture of Goma, indicating a worsening conflict that has persisted in the region for decades, with accusations against Rwanda regarding its true motivations in terms of mineral wealth exploitation. As M23 fighters push south, local sources indicate ongoing clashes approximately 30 kilometers from Kavumu. The United Nations has raised alarms about rapid M23 movements towards Bukavu, a city with a population of approximately two million, prompting concerns from international observers, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which convened an emergency summit amidst the crisis.
The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in the eastern regions, has been complicated by the involvement of Rwanda and the M23 rebel group. The M23’s recent actions, including the control of Goma, have sent shockwaves throughout the region and drawn international scrutiny, highlighting the volatile dynamics of mineral resources and historical grievances stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The DRC’s military appears ill-equipped to counter the M23’s advances, raising humanitarian and security concerns, as well as diplomatic tensions among neighboring nations.
The situation remains precarious as the M23 rebels continue to advance, raising serious concerns about regional stability and humanitarian conditions. Global calls for intervention and de-escalation have intensified, yet the responses have been varied and complex. The implications of the conflict not only threaten the DRC’s territorial integrity but also evoke broader geopolitical consequences within central Africa, necessitating urgent international attention and cooperation.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
