Burundi troops are deploying in eastern DRC as the UK halts aid to Rwanda following M23’s advances. The conflict, part of a three-decade unrest, has led to alarming casualties. Regional leaders are facilitating peace talks, while the ICC investigates the violence. The situation remains critical, requiring a political solution to restore stability.
Troops from Burundi, allied with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have begun deploying in eastern DRC as the UK suspends most bilateral aid to Rwanda. This decision follows an offensive by the M23 fighters in the region, which the United Nations claims is supported by Rwandan soldiers. The M23 has successfully captured significant cities, including Goma and Bukavu, intensifying the ongoing unrest in the mineral-rich area, which has been plagued by conflict for nearly thirty years.
The UK government has expressed that while Rwanda’s security concerns are acknowledged, military solutions are untenable, stating, “There can only be a political solution to this conflict.” The suspension of aid will remain until substantial progress in curtailing the violence is achieved. Reports indicate that M23 fighters are advancing even without significant resistance from the DRC army, whose troops reportedly committed atrocities during their retreat.
Additionally, Burundi forces are mobilizing to counter the M23 progression, with witnesses observing the movement of heavily armed Burundian soldiers toward Luvungi. Local residents have reported a calm yet increasingly empty environment in towns like Kamanyola, as fear of further clashes mounts. Concurrently, South African troops previously deployed in the area have been injured and are now receiving medical treatment following their return home.
To address the escalating violence, African leaders have appointed three former leaders as peace facilitators, and an International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has arrived in Kinshasa to investigate the situation. The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, has expressed concern about the dire conditions in eastern Congo. Regional blocs are striving for peace, focusing on achieving an immediate ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian access, following a merger of prior peace processes into a consolidated effort.
Reports suggest alarming casualties, with DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka indicating that over 7,000 individuals have lost their lives since January 2023, while the United Nations has documented significant fatalities, particularly during the M23 offensives. The humanitarian agency OCHA has also reported concerning numbers of deaths in Goma’s hospitals amidst the ongoing conflict.
The conflict in eastern DRC has intensified, with M23 fighters capturing key cities amid insufficient resistance from the DRC army. The UK has suspended aid to Rwanda, highlighting the conflict’s military complexities. Regional leaders are advocating for peace amid rising casualties, while the international community demands a political resolution to ensure stability. Collaborative efforts from African blocs and the ICC emphasize the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief.
Original Source: www.communitynewspapergroup.com
