Amid advances by M23 rebels, Rwanda welcomes proposed summit on conflict in DR Congo

Rwanda on Sunday (February 2) welcomed calls for a joint summit of two African regional blocs to address the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), where the M23 armed group has seized key territory in the east, including the major city of Goma.

The 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Friday (January 31) proposed a meeting with the East African Community (EAC) to discuss the worsening security crisis in the mineral-rich region, which has endured decades of violence involving dozens of armed groups. The conflict has drawn in neighbouring nations and provoked fears of a humanitarian catastrophe.

Rwanda’s foreign ministry expressed support for the summit, saying in a statement it has “consistently advocated for a political solution to the ongoing conflict.”

Escalation of fighting

The M23 group, which the United Nations and several nations allege is backed by Rwanda, has made significant territorial gains and vowed to march on the Congolese capital, Kinshasa. Kigali has denied supporting the rebels, though a UN expert report last year accused Rwanda of deploying 4,000 troops in eastern DR Congo and exerting “de facto” control over M23.

Rwanda, in turn, accuses DR Congo of backing the FDLR, an armed group formed by Hutu leaders responsible for the 1994 genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda.

The renewed fighting around Goma has intensified concerns over the region’s stability. The United Nations estimates 500,000 people have been displaced since the latest clashes began, adding to hundreds of thousands already uprooted by conflict.

Regional response and tensions

The SADC convened an emergency meeting last week following the deaths of soldiers from member states South Africa and Malawi, who were killed during clashes in Goma as part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).

Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who did not attend the SADC meeting, has previously criticised the deployment of SADC troops in DR Congo, alleging they exacerbate the conflict.

In Sunday’s statement, Rwanda’s foreign ministry reiterated this position, saying, they should “not be there because they are adding to the problems that already existed.”

Kagame did participate in an emergency EAC summit earlier in the week, which Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi did not attend.

The violence has created a dire humanitarian situation. In addition to the mass displacement, international aid agencies have warned of shortages of food, water, and medical supplies for those fleeing the fighting.

With inputs from AFP