On this day of February 20, 2024, tensions persist in eastern Congo, particularly around Goma and Saké, causing concern in France. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its deep concern over the attacks on the territorial integrity of the DRC and the suffering inflicted on civilian populations, describing the situation as unacceptable.
The recent offensives of the M23, supported by Rwanda, and the presence of Rwandan forces on Congolese soil are firmly condemned by Paris. France urges the rebels to stop fighting immediately and calls on Rwanda to end all support for the M23, as well as to withdraw from Congolese territory. An appeal is also launched to all armed groups to put an end to the violence ravaging the region.
In recent days, clashes have intensified between the M23, a movement mainly made up of Tutsis, and Congolese government forces in Saké, near Goma. This rebellion, which resurfaced at the end of 2021 after a long sleep, has conquered vast areas of North Kivu, raising fears in the DRC about a takeover of the mineral wealth of the east of the country.
Kinshasa’s allegations accusing Rwanda and the M23 of wanting to exploit Congolese mineral resources are fiercely rejected by Kigali. For its part, the M23 claims to defend a section of the population in danger and calls for negotiations, which the Congolese authorities refuse, arguing that it is out of the question to dialogue with “terrorists”.
The situation remains tense in the region, fueling fears for the security of civilian populations and the stability of the region. The international community continues to closely monitor developments in the crisis, calling for constructive dialogue with a view to a peaceful and lasting resolution of the conflicts in the DRC.