Thirteen peacekeepers, including nine South Africans, were killed in clashes with M23 rebels in the DR Congo. The UN is evacuating staff from Goma as violence escalates. President Macron and the EU are urging an end to hostilities, while the humanitarian crisis grows due to mass displacements and civilian casualties.
In recent clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), thirteen foreign peacekeepers were killed, including nine South African soldiers. These personnel were engaged in efforts to repel an advance by the M23 rebel group near Goma. The casualties also included three soldiers from Malawi and one from Uruguay. French President Emmanuel Macron has been in communication with the leaders of DRC and Rwanda to address the escalating violence.
As the fighting in Goma intensifies, the United Nations is evacuating all non-essential staff from the city, which houses over one million residents. The UN Security Council convened to discuss the situation, moving their meeting up to address the urgent humanitarian crisis. M23 rebels have demanded the surrender of Congolese troops to prevent further bloodshed amidst increasing territorial gains.
This violent resurgence follows the M23’s execution of a Congolese military governor visiting the frontline, as well as their capture of Minova and Masisi earlier in January. President Macron reiterated the need to cease hostilities in conversations with both nations’ leaders. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, also called for an end to the M23’s advances and criticized Rwandan support for the rebels.
Angolan President Joao Lourenco denounced the actions of the M23, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilian lives and calling for an immediate halt in fighting. As conflict escalates, more than 400,000 Congolese have been displaced this year alone. Local authorities report over 200 civilian deaths in areas under M23 control, with hospitals in Goma overwhelmed by casualties.
Martin Gordon, an Anglican bishop in Goma, lamented the prolonged violence and the desperation for peace among the populace. Several nations—including the UK, France, Germany, and the United States—have advised their citizens to evacuate Goma due to the unfolding crisis. Human Rights Watch has alerted the international community to the grave risks civilians face, citing abuses committed by both the Congolese army and M23 rebels.
The ongoing conflict exacerbates a humanitarian crisis that has worsened significantly since the M23’s resurgence in 2021, displacing numerous people in mineral-rich eastern DRC. Both the DRC government and the UN have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, a claim that Rwanda has neither affirmed nor denied. Historically, the M23 emerged to ostensibly defend the Tutsi minority in eastern DRC, while critics accuse Rwanda of exploiting the region’s resources.
The recent conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo represents a significant escalation in violence between government troops and the M23 rebel group, which has historically been supported by Rwanda. The M23 has claimed control of several strategic territories since its revival in 2021, claiming to protect the Tutsi population amid allegations of atrocities against civilians. The intervention of foreign troops as peacekeepers highlights the international concern regarding deteriorating stability and humanitarian conditions in the DRC, necessitating urgent global responses to address these multifaceted issues.
The escalation of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in the deaths of thirteen peacekeepers and significant civilian casualties, underscores the urgent need for international intervention and dialogue. With the M23’s territorial gains and the humanitarian crisis deepening, global leaders must address the allegations of foreign support and reinforce efforts for peace and stability in the region. The situation calls for immediate action to ensure the safety of civilians and restore order in the DRC.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
