UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the ongoing conflict in the DRC, spurred by M23 militia offensives, threatens regional stability. As M23 claims control of key areas, including Kavumu airport, international bodies are called to enforce ceasefires and consider actions against Rwanda, accused of supporting the insurgent group. The situation remains critical as violence escalates and diplomatic efforts intensify.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed grave concerns over the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), urging that its national integrity must be maintained. Speaking at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, he emphasized the necessity of preventing any regional escalation triggered by the M23 militia’s advances in eastern DRC, particularly after they attacked the provincial capital of Bukavu.
Currently, M23 forces have claimed control over Kavumu airport, vital for Bakavu’s access to supplies and a crucial strategic point in South Kivu. Guterres highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “The fighting that is raging in South Kivu… threatens to push the entire region over the precipice.” As violence continues, local reports indicate frequent explosions in Bukavu, heightening fears of regional instability.
Critics have noted the African Union’s hesitant response amid increasing international alarm over the situation. Recent reports reveal M23 leaders asserting their mission to secure Bukavu, with local military fleeing in the wake of their offensive. Control of both South and North Kivu grants M23 significant leverage over the region’s vast mineral resources.
Rwanda’s involvement is controversial; the Rwandan government has denied backing M23 but maintains claims regarding security threats from Hutu factions in the DRC. An assessment by UN experts indicated that Rwanda might have had around 4,000 troops on the ground in eastern Congo, effectively linking them to the rebel operations.
Both Rwanda and DRC’s leadership were notably absent from the recent AU meeting, where discussions centered on enforcing a ceasefire. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi called for international accountability for Rwanda’s alleged aggressions. The European Union has responded with urgency, considering actions against Rwanda following M23’s capture of key infrastructure in the DRC, reaffirming that violations of the country’s territorial integrity will not go unanswered.
The escalating conflict in the DRC, particularly involving the M23 militia and their control over significant areas, poses immediate threats to regional stability. UN Secretary-General Guterres has called for the preservation of DRC’s territorial integrity, emphasizing urgent action needed to prevent further escalation. International bodies, including the EU, are considering measures against Rwanda in response to its alleged support for M23, indicative of the escalating tensions and urgent diplomatic negotiations required. In summary, as fighting intensifies and regional powers remain involved, the need for decisive action to ensure peace and security in the DRC becomes increasingly critical.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
