Nairobi, Kenya – In response to the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenyan President William Ruto has announced that the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC will convene for a crisis summit on Wednesday. This development comes as the M23 rebel group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, claims to have seized control of Goma, a strategic city in eastern DRC.
The M23 rebels have declared that they have taken control of Goma, a city with a population of approximately 2 million people. This claim has led to a mass exodus of residents seeking safety, with many attempting to cross into neighboring Rwanda. The situation has been described as chaotic, with reports of gunfire, power outages, and a significant prison break at Munzenze prison, resulting in thousands of inmates escaping.
Casualties in Rwanda
The conflict has also impacted Rwanda, with Rwandan army spokesperson Ronald Rwivanga reporting that five civilians were killed and 25 wounded on the outskirts of the border town of Gisenyi. In response to the violence, the Rwanda-Congo border near Goma was closed on Monday.
President Ruto of Kenya emphasized the need for dialogue, stating, “We do not see, from where I sit, a possibility of a military solution to the challenges that face eastern Congo,” and called for “direct engagement” with M23 rebels and other “stakeholders” in talks. Previous Angola-mediated negotiations between Congo and Rwanda collapsed in December after Kigali insisted Kinshasa hold direct peace talks with M23.
The international community has expressed deep concern over the situation. The United Nations has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels with troops and weapons, leading to the withdrawal of non-essential UN staff from Goma due to the deteriorating security situation. The European Union has called on Rwanda to cease its support for the M23 and withdraw its backing. France has condemned the offensive led by the M23, backed by the Rwandan armed forces, and has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
The M23 rebellion, named after a March 23, 2009 peace agreement that the rebels accuse the DRC government of violating, has been a significant source of instability in the region. The group briefly captured Goma in 2012 before being driven out by Congolese and United Nations forces. The resurgence of M23 activities has reignited tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, with accusations of Rwandan support for the rebels further complicating regional dynamics.
The upcoming summit, facilitated by President Ruto, aims to de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community will be closely monitoring the outcomes, hoping for a cessation of hostilities and a return to stability in the region.
