The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to cause serious concern. A few days before the United Nations General Assembly, the Congolese government has once again warned of the tragedy unfolding in the east of the country, caused by Rwanda’s aggression and its support for the M23 rebellion. In a “white paper” presented by the Congolese authorities, the scale of the disaster is documented, highlighting the damage caused by this conflict.
The white paper reveals alarming figures. More than 2.39 million people have been displaced by this conflict, mainly in the North Kivu province. These massive displacements have a considerable impact on the lives of populations, including difficulties in accessing education. More than 700 schools are not operating normally in this region, thus depriving many children of education.
In addition to forced displacement and the consequences on education, this conflict also has a significant economic impact for the DRC. The government estimates it is losing nearly $1 million a month in budget revenue because of the conflict, largely due to disruptions at the border post with Uganda. It is also underlined that this situation contributes to the maintenance of instability in this part of the country, thus allowing the plundering of mineral resources by Rwanda.
Faced with this situation, the Congolese authorities are calling for more rigorous action from the international community. They welcome the sanctions already taken by the European Union and the United States against certain Rwandan officers, but believe that it is necessary to go further to put an end to this aggression and support for the rebellion.
This humanitarian tragedy in the DRC must be taken seriously by the international community. It is imperative to put in place concrete measures to put an end to Rwanda’s aggression and guarantee the security of the populations in the east of the country. Preserving resources and repairing the damage caused by this conflict are major challenges for the DRC, and more rigorous actions must be taken to achieve this. The next summit of the United Nations General Assembly will be an essential opportunity to discuss this situation and find lasting solutions.