DRC President Felix Tshisekedi advocates for countermeasures against Rwanda citing ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. The crisis has resulted in millions being displaced, with recent advances by M23 rebels exacerbating the humanitarian situation. Both leaders emphasize the need for dialogue to resolve these issues, while accusations of Rwandan support for rebels continue to complicate relations.
Felix Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has called for “countermeasures” against Rwanda due to the worsening conflict in eastern Congo. During the Munich Security Conference, he stated, “Rwanda has repeatedly provoked such situations for many years, and there have not been any countermeasures taken.” The ongoing conflict has led to over seven million internally displaced individuals in Congo, severely impacting stability in the region.
Tshisekedi emphasized the urgent need for resolution, warning that continued instability could set a dangerous precedent across the African continent. Rwandan Defense Minister Juvenal Marizamunda, also present at the conference, defended Rwanda by stating, “Rwanda has nothing to gain from an unstable DRC,” highlighting the negative repercussions of the crisis on Rwanda itself.
The situation remains tense, with M23 rebels reportedly capturing Cavumu airport and entering the city of Bukavu, aggravating an already dire humanitarian situation. Since late January, the violence has resulted in over 3,000 fatalities and displaced more than 500,000 people, compounding an ongoing humanitarian crisis characterized by a total of 6.4 million displaced individuals according to United Nations data.
Amidst the escalating violence, accusations from Kinshasa suggest that Rwanda is supporting the M23 rebels in their offensive, although Kigali has persistently denied these allegations. Christoph Heusgen, the panel discussion moderator, urged a diplomatic approach, suggesting that dialogue, possibly facilitated by the United Nations, might be essential for resolution.
The call for countermeasures by President Tshisekedi against Rwanda underscores the ongoing crisis in eastern Congo, where millions remain displaced due to conflict. While Rwanda asserts that it does not benefit from instability in the DRC, the accusations of support for rebel groups complicate the situation further. Dialogue and diplomatic engagement are critical for addressing these pressing challenges and potentially stabilizing the region.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
