On February 20, France issued an urgent appeal to Rwanda to cease all support for the M23 rebel group, operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). But beyond this request, Paris also demanded the withdrawal of Rwandan soldiers from Congolese territory. This unprecedented statement from France highlights the Rwandan military presence in eastern DRC, a worrying situation for the Congolese authorities.
On the side of the Congolese presidency, this development in the French discourse is welcomed, but concrete actions are considered essential. Giscard Kusema, head of presidential communications, underlines the need for economic sanctions against Rwanda, which he accuses of waging a predatory war. He also calls out to Western powers who continue to sign contracts with Rwanda for minerals from Congolese soil, denouncing the complicit silence of other States in the face of this situation.
Despite calls for sanctions, French diplomacy remains measured. Christophe Lemoine, spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mentions that no sanctions are currently envisaged within the framework of the Luanda process. International sanctions are generally reserved for situations of serious escalation, and for the moment, they are not on the agenda.
At the same time, the European Union, the United Nations and the United States have already taken sanctions measures against certain leaders of the M23, the FDLR and other armed groups operating in the DRC. In the east of the country, fighting in Saké has displaced more than 135,000 people since the beginning of February. The clashes between the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, and the Congolese armed forces, allied with local militias, are extremely violent.
This conflict is pushing displaced populations to flock to Goma en masse, worsening the already precarious humanitarian situation in the region. New reception sites are created, such as that of Lac Vert, exposed due to its proximity to the front line and a military camp.
This situation highlights the urgency of concerted international action to end the violence and guarantee the protection of civilians in eastern DRC.