The news article that catches our attention today concerns the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Congolese government’s request for UN sanctions against Rwanda and the armed group M23.
According to a report by UN experts, which was published on June 13, Rwanda is providing military, logistical and supply support to M23 terrorists who have been raging in North Kivu province for a year. This support would have led to the death of thousands of Congolese civilians and the displacement of more than a million people.
Faced with this situation, the Congolese government reiterated its appeal to the UN for “severe and exemplary” sanctions against Rwandan officers and M23 leaders. It calls for those responsible to be brought to justice and for the human rights violations and abuses committed to be punished.
Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya also stressed that sanctions should target not only the individuals responsible, but also their sponsors and suppliers to armed groups. He called on the members of the UN Security Council to act quickly and take concrete measures to put an end to this situation.
At the same time, the Congolese government welcomed the decision of the UK Court of Appeal which ruled that Rwanda is not a “safe third country” for sending asylum seekers. According to him, this decision confirms that Rwanda systematically violates human rights inside and outside the country and that no refugee is safe on its territory.
The UN experts also unveiled in their report the names of the senior officers of the Rwandan army who are involved in supporting the M23. Among them are Brigadier General Andrew Nyamvumba, Commander of Operations in Congo, General Mubarak Muganga, Chief of the Defense Staff, and Vincent Nyakarundi, Chief of the General Staff.
Despite Rwanda’s denials, evidence of its active support for M23 continues to mount. UN experts stressed that the apparent withdrawals from M23 positions were purely tactical to buy time in the face of international pressure, and that the armed group had been assured that the areas it was abandoning would not be retaken. by the Congolese armed forces but would remain under its control.
In conclusion, the situation in the DRC remains worrying, with the continued support of Rwanda to the armed group M23. The Congolese government is calling for UN sanctions and hopes that those responsible for these crimes will be brought to justice