Tensions persist in the Great Lakes region, where the M23 rebel group continues to sow terror in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The United States recently pointed the finger at Rwanda, accusing it of supporting the rebel group, triggering a strong reaction from Kigali.
The US State Department publicly condemned the escalating violence and called on the M23 to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from positions it occupies around Sake and Goma. In addition, the United States has called on Rwanda to immediately withdraw all of its military troops from the DRC and remove its surface-to-air missile systems.
In response, the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted strongly by stating that the American statement distorted reality and asserting that Rwanda reserved the right of self-defense against the actions of the DRC in the region, which it considers a threat to his security.
Kigali expressed its “deep concern” about what it describes as “the abandonment of regional peace processes” while deploring the indifference of the international community in the face of the “dramatic military reinforcement” of the DRC.
These accusations come against a backdrop of increased violence in eastern DRC, with clashes between M23 rebels, the armed forces and the self-defense groups that support them. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee, many of them now in Goma as the M23 advances towards the city.
Last week, South Africa announced it was sending a contingent of 2,900 troops as part of its contribution to a force deployed by SADC to help the DRC fight rebel groups.
This escalation of tensions in the Great Lakes region recalls the fragility of the situation and underlines the urgency of concerted action to restore peace and stability in this part of Africa.