“The news in the Democratic Republic of Congo is once again marked by attacks by the RDF/M23 coalition against the patriot self-defense forces, in violation of the ceasefire. The Deputy Minister of Defense national and veterans, Samuel Adubango Awotho, expressed his concerns during the recent meeting of the council of ministers.
He reported that the M23-RDF terrorists launched operations against the positions of the May May groups’ commanders, despite commitments made at the Luanda summit to end hostilities. This situation heightens tensions in the eastern region of the DRC, particularly in the territories of Masisi, Rutshuru and Nyirangongo.
At the same time, the province of Ituri continues to face abuses, killings and other acts of violence committed by various militias. The territories of Djugu, Mahagi, Irumu and Mambasa are particularly affected by this violence. In addition, the activities of ADF-MTM terrorists in the region remain of concern.
The security situation in eastern DRC therefore remains very worrying despite the operations of the regional EACRF forces to control the armed group M23. However, the results on the ground are mixed and the diplomatic efforts of the EAC struggle to provide concrete solutions.
Faced with this impasse, the Congolese government turned to the SADC (Southern African Development Community) to find a way out of the crisis. During the recent summit in Namibia, the forthcoming dispatch of SADC troops to eastern DRC was validated, but the precise date of their deployment remains to be defined.
It is essential to stress that stability in eastern DRC is crucial, both for the country and for the Great Lakes region. Persistent tensions between the DRC and Rwanda as well as foreign interference represent significant challenges to overcome.
In conclusion, the security situation in eastern DRC remains worrying, with recurrent attacks by the RDF/M23 coalition. Regional diplomatic efforts and the involvement of SADC are key to achieving a peaceful and lasting resolution to the crisis. It is essential to put an end to the abuses and armed violence that continue to affect the civilian population in the region