Congolese troops, with Burundian support, are slowing the advance of M23 rebels in eastern Congo. The region faces the risk of heightened conflict, as military clashes between Rwandan, Congolese, and Burundian forces occur. Global leaders urge an end to hostilities while locals in Bukavu prepare for potential violence amid rising tensions.
Congolese forces, supported by Burundian troops, have managed to slow the M23 rebels’ advances in eastern Congo. The Tutsi-led M23 rebels initially captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, before gearing up for an assault on Bukavu in South Kivu province. However, efforts from Congolese troops, local militias, and Burundians have resulted in significant pushback, particularly near Nyabibwe, about 30 miles from Bukavu.
The conflict poses a credible threat of escalating beyond borders, as military clashes involving Rwandan, Congolese, and Burundian forces have been reported. M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, are among various Tutsi-led factions in the region, dating back to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. Rwanda has denied U.N. claims regarding its substantial military and supply involvement in Congo.
Increased hostilities could ignite a regional war similar to the devastating conflicts of 1996-2003, which resulted in millions of deaths mostly due to hunger and disease. Reports from the U.N. indicate incursions of Rwandan forces into Congo, though Rwanda has not commented on these allegations. M23 leadership claims thousands of Burundian soldiers are actively fighting alongside Congolese forces, bolstering their efforts.
Rwandan officials claimed that there were 10,000 Burundian troops deployed in the area. Burundi’s military has recognized that they have deployed between 8,000 and 10,000 soldiers in Congo due to ongoing pleas for assistance from the Congolese government. Amid rising tensions and ongoing fighting, Uganda has announced a change in its military strategy to adopt a defensive posture in the region.
Global powers have condemned the violence, pushing for an end to hostilities and urging the Rwandan government to cease support for M23. France’s Foreign Minister met with both Congo and Rwandan leadership to address the crisis. However, analysts suggest that international hesitation to confront Rwanda may hinder effective intervention against the rebel group.
Bukavu’s residents are preparing for potential conflict, with local government seeking civilian defenders for the city. Due to increasing violence, many citizens have started to stockpile supplies or flee towards the border with Burundi, expressing fear about their safety as M23 forces encroach.
The persistent instability in eastern Congo reflects a broader historical context marked by war, regional power struggles, and humanitarian crises affecting millions.
The ongoing violence in eastern Congo, particularly involving the M23 rebel group, is fueled by a complex interplay of historical tensions stemming from Rwanda’s genocide and subsequent conflicts. M23 is part of a wider network of Tutsi-led factions, receiving backing from Rwanda, underlining a continual cycle of instability in the region. The current military dynamics suggest a dire possibility of broader regional conflict given the involvement of multiple nations’ armies, notably Burundi and Uganda, and the long-standing rivalries among them.
The situation in eastern Congo underscores the precarious balance of power involving local rebel factions and the armies of neighboring countries. The staunch reaction from the Congolese and Burundian forces has managed for now to halt M23’s expansion toward Bukavu, but the threat of escalating conflict remains a prominent concern. Calls from the international community for restraint highlight the urgency to address both the humanitarian and geopolitical repercussions of this ongoing crisis.
Original Source: www.thestar.com.my
