M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have resumed attacks on Congolese forces in South Kivu, breaking a two-day ceasefire. Fighting has intensified, with the UN reporting 2,900 deaths and 700,000 displaced due to the conflict. The M23 claims to fight for minority rights, while DR Congo alleges that they seek control of mineral wealth. Allegations of refugee compulsion by the M23 have been disputed, complicating the humanitarian situation further.
The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have resumed attacks against Congolese government forces in South Kivu province, marking the end of a two-day ceasefire. Heavy shelling commenced on Tuesday, following a recent summit in which East and Southern African leaders had called for an immediate ceasefire. The M23 has gained significant territory in eastern DR Congo, including the strategic city of Goma, and now appears to be advancing towards Bukavu, the provincial capital.
Recent UN estimates indicate that approximately 2,900 individuals have lost their lives since January due to the ongoing conflict, with around 700,000 others forced from their homes, alongside thousands sustaining injuries. Fighting erupted near Ihusi, situated roughly 70 kilometers from Bukavu. A spokesman from the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which includes the M23, stated that they may extend their operations to Bukavu if the Congolese government’s actions continue.
The M23 leader, Lawrence Kanyuka, responded to the arrest of 84 military personnel by Congolese authorities for violent crimes, asserting, “If these crimes persist, we will take full responsibility to eradicate the threat at its source and protect our people.” Concurrently, reports have emerged suggesting that the M23 may be compelling refugees to return home, although they have denied these allegations and criticized them as propaganda.
The United Nations humanitarian agency Ocha reported that the M23 had ordered displaced persons in Goma to return within 72 hours. Kanyuka refuted claims of compulsion, asserting, “The M23 does not compel anyone to return without firm security guarantees.” The M23, composed primarily of ethnic Tutsis, contends that their actions are aimed at securing minority rights, whereas the DR Congo government accuses them of seeking control over the region’s mineral resources.
Both the DR Congo and the UN have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, a claim that the Rwandan government has consistently denied. However, statements from Rwandan officials have evolved, now acknowledging that the conflict near their border poses a security threat.
The recent resurgence of fighting in the DR Congo, instigated by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, has reignited significant concerns regarding regional stability. Despite international calls for ceasefire, hostilities have intensified, leading to substantial civilian casualties and displacement. The complex interplay of ethnic dynamics, resource control, and external influences further complicates this ongoing humanitarian crisis in the eastern DR Congo.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
