African leaders are waiting for a response to their call for a ceasefire in eastern DRC after a summit urged military chiefs from the M23 group and the government forces to meet. The summit stressed the need for humanitarian corridors and highlighted the urgent need for peace talks amid rising violence and casualties in the region.
African leaders are currently awaiting a response to their call for a ceasefire in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During a summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, two dozen heads of state from eastern and southern Africa urged military leaders from both the M23 armed group and Congolese government forces to convene within five days to establish a ceasefire agreement.
The communique from this summit emphasized the need for the immediate opening of humanitarian corridors to facilitate the evacuation of both the deceased and the injured. The discussions come after significant military activity, with M23 fighters taking control of Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. Reports indicate that over 3,000 individuals have lost their lives due to the ongoing violence.
United Nations reports suggested that Rwanda has deployed around 4,000 troops in the DRC, profiting from illegally mining resources such as gold and coltan, essential in technology. Conversely, Rwanda accuses the DRC of sheltering the FDLR, an armed group formed by ethnic Hutus responsible for the Rwandan genocide.
UN rights chief Volker Turk has warned that the situation may worsen if no immediate actions are taken to address the ongoing conflict. Recent peace initiatives have been conducted under the auspices of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, but efforts to establish lasting peace have repeatedly failed.
Kenyan President William Ruto, leading the East African Community, urged all involved to implement the ceasefire and specifically called for the M23 to halt their advance while the DRC armed forces should cease retaliatory attacks. Previous meetings aimed at signing a peace agreement between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi have been canceled, indicating continued tensions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for cooperation towards a ceasefire, warning of the risk of broader regional destabilization. The ongoing conflict remains at a critical juncture, with the potential to escalate unless resolved promptly.
The conflict in the eastern DRC involves fighting primarily between the M23 armed group and government forces, exacerbated by historical tensions in the region, including Rwanda’s involvement and accusations against the DRC. Since re-emerging in 2021, previous peace efforts have been largely unsuccessful, and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, prompting calls for urgent action from regional leaders and international bodies.
African leaders await a response to calls for a ceasefire in the eastern DRC after a summit emphasized urgent military talks. Humanitarian needs are critical as violence escalates, evidenced by significant casualties. Ongoing tensions, particularly between Rwanda and the DRC, pose risks for the region, necessitating immediate cooperative efforts towards peace.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
