The US has sanctioned a Rwandan minister and M23 spokesperson for alleged involvement in eastern DRC’s conflict, following M23’s territorial advances. Analysts highlight Rwanda’s military support for M23, while Rwanda accuses DRC of backing hostile forces. The situation is complicated by Uganda’s dual role, raising further questions about M23’s ambitions and the road to peace.
The United States sanctioned a Rwandan government minister and the spokesperson of the M23 rebel group concerning their alleged roles in the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This follows the unopposed march of M23 fighters through Bukavu and their takeover of Goma, illustrating their significant military advancements.
According to analysts, these developments are not surprising given the claims from the DRC, the United Nations, and foreign governments that the M23 group is heavily armed and supported by Rwanda. Sasha Lezhnev, a senior policy adviser at The Sentry, pointed to several UN reports which assert that Rwanda provides military support to M23, with recent findings indicating a substantial presence of Rwandan troops in DRC.
Despite Rwanda’s denials, Lezhnev remarked that this ongoing crisis could have been avoided had the international community maintained focus. He elaborated that Rwanda had begun rearming M23 approximately four years ago, with the US previously imposing sanctions on Rwandan generals for their support of the rebels.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame accuses the DRC government of backing the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group with ties to the Rwandan genocide. The M23 organization, initially seizing Goma in 2012, has been involved in a protracted struggle among numerous armed factions competing for control of the region’s extensive mineral resources.
Claude Gatebuke, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, contended that both Rwanda and Uganda support the M23 for access to Congo’s resources, catering primarily to Western multinational corporations. Mvemba Phezo Dizolele from the Center for Strategic and International Studies expressed confusion regarding Uganda’s dual role in DRC, stating that while Uganda collaborates with the DRC government against certain groups, it simultaneously fuels instability in the region.
Recently, M23 leaders expressed ambitions of expanding their control toward Kinshasa, with uncertainties regarding their ultimate objectives. Analysts ponder if they aim to establish dominance within the Kivu region or beyond. A recent statement from M23 called for sincere dialogue with the DRC government to address the conflict.
During a recent Munich Security Conference, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi criticized the international community’s lack of action against Rwanda amidst growing violence. In response to US sanctions, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe deemed them unjustified, asserting that such measures are counterproductive to peace in the region.
The conflict involving Congo’s M23 rebels showcases a complex interplay of military alliances and geopolitical interests, predominantly involving Rwanda and Uganda. As armed factions vie for control over the region’s resources, international sanctions have sparked debates on their effectiveness in promoting stability. The call for dialogue persists amidst accusations and counterclaims, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict in the DRC.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
