Rwanda and DRC leaders to meet in Tanzania to address the M23 conflict. The group has captured key territory, including Goma, leading to humanitarian crises. Despite previous peace efforts failing, regional discussions continue as tensions escalate around Kavumu and Bukavu.
On Saturday, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is set to meet Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in Tanzania. The summit aims to address the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly concerning the M23 armed group’s territorial gains in the eastern region, which have resulted in significant casualties and displacements. The M23’s recent capture of Goma has intensified fears throughout the region.
The joint summit in Dar es Salaam will involve leaders from the East African Community and the South African Development Community. Despite previous failed peace talks in 2021 hosted by Angola and Kenya, regional leaders are seeking solutions to restore stability. Rwanda continues to deny allegations of supporting the M23, even as U.N. reports suggest a military presence in the DRC.
As the M23 advances toward Kavumu, a crucial supply point for Congolese forces, panic has gripped local populations in nearby Bukavu. Residents express concerns over looting, and many have begun barricading businesses. The situation at the border has been chaotic, with people attempting to flee the conflict.
U.N. rights chief Volker Turk reported nearly 3,000 deaths and significant injuries since the M23’s takeover of Goma on January 26. Human rights concerns heighten, with numerous allegations of sexual violence being investigated. The group has established local governance in Goma and is threatening to move further into the country toward Kinshasa.
The DRC military is struggling, facing criticism for corruption and insufficient training. This turmoil has raised alarms regarding a potential regional conflict, as multiple countries are involved in backing the DRC’s military efforts. A meeting among regional foreign ministers precedes the leaders’ discussions, with calls for a convergence of past peace initiatives.
The eastern DRC has been a hotspot for conflict for decades, with various armed groups vying for control of rich mineral resources. The resurgence of the M23 group has complicated the landscape, prompting regional leaders to convene for peace talks. The dynamics involve accusations between Rwanda and the DRC regarding support for opposing armed factions, which complicates peace efforts and exacerbates humanitarian crises in the region.
Senior leaders from Rwanda and the DRC are urgently convening to tackle the escalating violence instigated by the M23 group. As regional leaders aim for a united approach toward peace, the dire humanitarian situation continues to unfold, with rising casualties and displacements. Immediate and coordinated action is critical to stabilizing eastern DRC and averting a broader regional conflict.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
