African leaders gathered in Tanzania to demand an immediate ceasefire in the DRC, where the M23 armed group has captured vast territories, causing thousands of casualties. The summit called for army chiefs to meet within five days to facilitate a ceasefire and open humanitarian corridors. Ongoing violence continues to drive urban panic and has severe implications for regional stability.
A summit of African leaders convened in Tanzania on Saturday to address the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The participants, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, called for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” within five days, responding to the escalating conflict involving the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group. This group has aggressively captured significant territories in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
The summit’s final statement urged army commanders from both the DRC and Rwanda to meet within five days to establish a framework for the ceasefire. Additionally, it emphasized the necessity of opening humanitarian corridors to facilitate the evacuation of casualties. On the ground, fighting continued near the South Kivu provincial capital of Bukavu, with the M23 having recently seized the strategic city of Goma in North Kivu province.
The resurgence of the M23 since 2021 has led to failed peace negotiations in Angola and Kenya, and previous ceasefires have collapsed. Though Rwanda denies military support to the M23, a UN report indicated that approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops may be operating within the DRC, profiting from the smuggling of valuable minerals such as gold and coltan. Tensions persist as Rwanda accuses the DRC of harboring the FDLR, a group formed by Hutu extremists linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The worsening situation has raised alarms among local populations, particularly as the M23 seems to be targeting the town of Kavumu, home to an essential airport for Congolese military operations. Residents of the provincial capital Bukavu are reporting heightened panic, with many attempting to flee and secure their properties amidst fears of impending conflict.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk warned of impending humanitarian crises, citing nearly 3,000 confirmed deaths and thousands of injuries since the M23’s advancement to Goma began. He noted, “If nothing is done, the worst may be yet to come for the people of the eastern DRC but also beyond the country’s borders.” He also mentioned ongoing investigations into grave human rights violations, including allegations of gender-based violence.
The M23 has established local governance in Goma and has ambitious plans to advance toward the DRC’s capital, Kinshasa, despite the significant distance. Concerns about a potential regional war have been exacerbated, given the involvement of multiple countries providing military support to the DRC, including South Africa, Burundi, and Malawi.
The summit of African leaders highlights the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in the DRC to address the severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the M23 offensives. With increasing violence and displacement of populations, regional stability remains at risk as external support for the DRC may intensify the conflict. Addressing the ongoing humanitarian needs and restoring peace are critical to preventing further deterioration of the situation in the eastern DRC.
Original Source: www.kpvi.com
