DR Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi has cut short his Davos trip due to escalating violence from M23 rebels, leading to over 400,000 people fleeing their homes. The conflict has intensified with the rebels capturing key towns, including Sake, raising fears about the fate of Goma. UN Secretary-General warns of potential regional war unless all parties respect DRC’s sovereignty.
President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has abruptly returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos amidst escalating violence in his country. The conflict in eastern DRC has intensified, particularly with the M23 rebels gaining significant territory, causing over 400,000 individuals to flee their homes since the beginning of the year. The rebels’ recent advances include the strategic capture of towns such as Masisi and Minova in North Kivu, raising concerns about the potential fall of Goma, a major urban center.
The town of Goma, which has over a million residents and is located near the Rwandan border, is critical for the M23 rebels, who previously occupied it in 2012. They intensified their offensive on Thursday by capturing Sake, although the Congolese army claims to have successfully repelled this assault. Local residents in Sake, many of whom were already displaced, are fleeing with essential belongings, faced with dire circumstances.
Since 2021, the M23 has been consolidating control over extensive areas in resource-rich eastern DRC, leading to significant humanitarian displacement. Although fighting subsided briefly in late July, hostilities resumed forcefully in October and intensified toward the end of the year. The DRC government and the United Nations assert that Rwanda backs the M23 rebels, a claim that Rwandan officials neither confirm nor deny.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently expressed concern that the ongoing conflict could escalate into a regional war, urging all parties to respect the DRC’s sovereignty and halt support for armed groups. He emphasized the need for all involved to recognize and uphold the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo in his statement.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been embroiled in conflict for years, particularly in its eastern regions, where various armed groups, including the M23 rebels, have sought control over lucrative mineral resources. The M23 was initially formed in 2012 but was temporarily subdued after international negotiations. However, the group’s resurgence in recent years, along with accusations of Rwandan involvement, has heightened tensions regionally and impacted countless civilians who have been displaced by the violence.
In conclusion, the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains critical, marked by the M23 rebels’ territorial gains and the resulting humanitarian crisis. President Tshisekedi’s swift return from Davos underscores the urgency of the situation as reported displacements exceed 400,000 individuals. International attentiveness, particularly from the United Nations, is paramount to avoid further escalation and to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the DRC.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
