New fighting has erupted in eastern DRC as M23 fighters attacked Congolese military positions despite recent calls for a ceasefire from African leaders. The M23 has reclaimed territory and is accused of trying to cut off supply lines. Humanitarian crises worsen amid military engagements, with significant international concerns about the potential for escalating conflict.
On Tuesday, fresh fighting launched in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, occurring merely three days after regional leaders called for a ceasefire following a brief pause in hostilities. M23 fighters reportedly attacked Congolese military positions in South Kivu province at dawn, heightening tensions. The DRC government classifies the M23 as a terrorist organization, while the United Nations and the United States categorize it as an armed rebel group. The DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting these rebels, a claim that Rwanda denies.
The resurgence of conflict follows a directive from east and southern African leaders for their military staff to devise a strategy for an “unconditional” ceasefire by Thursday, amidst ongoing violence that has resulted in numerous fatalities and mass displacements. The M23 has rapidly reclaimed territory in resource-rich eastern DRC, having resumed hostilities in late 2021, following decades of conflict. The armed group has made aggressive advances in South Kivu after successfully capturing Goma, the capital of North Kivu, at the end of the previous month.
Fighting was reported near the village of Ihusi, approximately 70 kilometers from Bukavu, the provincial capital. Local security sources described significant military engagement, noting “detonations of heavy weapons.” Kavumu airport, crucial for the transportation of Congolese army reinforcements, is situated nearby. In response to escalating tensions, Bukavu residents have begun evacuating, and schools and banks have closed, anticipating an M23 offensive.
If Bukavu were to be captured, M23 and Rwandan forces would gain complete control over Lake Kivu. Currently, nearly 300 Congolese soldiers are on trial in the city, facing charges including rape and murder. The M23, asserting its intent to “liberate all of Congo” and remove President Felix Tshisekedi, has escalated its efforts to seize key highland areas overlooking pivotal supply routes to Bukavu, although Burundian troops deployed in South Kivu have managed to halt these advances.
The M23 has also begun establishing its authority in Goma, prompting recruitment initiatives to form its own police force. The humanitarian situation in Goma has deteriorated significantly, with substantial water shortages forcing inhabitants to source water from Lake Kivu, despite outbreaks of cholera. Moreover, Goma’s airport remains closed, hampering international efforts to provide humanitarian relief.
The escalating crisis in the eastern DRC is scheduled for discussion during an upcoming African Union meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The international community has intensified calls for de-escalation, fearing the conflict could escalate into a regional war, yet diplomatic endeavors to resolve the long-standing conflict have thus far been ineffectual.
The DRC has sought “targeted sanctions” against Rwanda, although such measures have yielded limited outcomes. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of aiming to exploit DRC’s natural resources, including tantalum, tin, and gold, used in electronics. Conversely, Rwanda maintains that its interventions are aimed at protecting its borders from threats posed by armed groups, particularly the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). In a parallel development, a militia assault in the northeastern Ituri province resulted in 51 fatalities, further complicating the DRC’s sociopolitical landscape.
In summary, fresh hostilities in eastern DRC signal an escalation of the conflict following failed ceasefire initiatives. The DRC government’s accusations against Rwanda of support for M23, coupled with the humanitarian crisis in Goma, underscore the complex dynamics of regional tensions. The ongoing violence and the burden of various ethnic militias further exacerbate the situation, prompting international concerns over a potential broader conflict.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
