President Tshisekedi returned from Davos as fighting escalates in DR Congo, particularly with the M23 rebels making significant territorial gains. Over 400,000 people have been displaced due to the conflict, which threatens to destabilize the region further. The UN warns that the situation could lead to a broader regional conflict, urging respect for DR Congo’s sovereignty.
President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has abruptly returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos due to escalating violence in his country. The conflict in the eastern region has intensified, particularly with the advances of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have taken control of significant territories since the beginning of the year. The United Nations reports that over 400,000 individuals have been displaced as the M23 moves closer to Goma, the provincial capital.
The recent military activity has seen the M23 capture strategic towns, including Masisi and Minova, in North Kivu. The potential fall of Goma, a city with a population exceeding one million, would represent a significant gain for the rebels, who previously held it during a 2012 rebellion. Following the capturing of Sake, a town near Goma, the Congolese military claimed to have repelled the M23’s assault there.
Displaced residents from Sake and surrounding areas are fleeing, many carrying personal items as they attempt to escape the worsening violence. The M23 has maintained control over large portions of the resource-rich eastern DR Congo since 2021, causing widespread human displacement. In the past year, fears of Goma’s capture have escalated, with intermittent periods of fighting fueling tensions.
According to the DR Congo government and the United Nations, the M23 rebels receive support from Rwanda, an assertion that remains neither confirmed nor denied by Rwandan authorities. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned that the current climate risks sparking a broader regional conflict, urging all involved to respect the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He emphasized the necessity to cease all forms of assistance to armed groups operating within the country.
The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has roots in deep-seated political and ethnic tensions, primarily in the eastern regions where several armed groups, including the M23, have proliferated. This has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and facing dire conditions. The involvement of neighboring countries, particularly Rwanda, complicates the conflict, as accusations of external support for the M23 add to the volatility of the situation.
In conclusion, the worsening condition of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo necessitated President Tshisekedi’s immediate return from Davos. The M23 rebels have made considerable territorial gains, creating a humanitarian crisis for hundreds of thousands. With international concerns growing about regional implications, combined efforts to stabilize the situation and support for the Congolese government are crucial.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
