African Leaders Advocate for Ceasefire Amid Ongoing DRC Crisis

African leaders at a summit in Tanzania called for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) within five days, as the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group continues its offensive. The situation has led to significant casualties and displacement, with fears of further conflict rising among local populations. The UN has warned of escalating human rights violations amid this turmoil.

A summit of African leaders convened in Tanzania to address the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday and called for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” within five days. The conflict, largely driven by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group, has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread displacement in the mineral-rich eastern DRC.

The summit included Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, among others from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community. The final statement urged military leaders from both nations to gather within five days to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire and to establish humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of the deceased and injured.

Despite these calls for peace, hostilities continued near Bakuvu, located about 60 kilometers from the fighting’s epicenter. The M23 recently captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, and is advancing towards South Kivu, exacerbating the ongoing regional turmoil that has persisted for decades.

Local populations express fear as the M23 inch closer to Kavumu, a town in South Kivu crucial for supplying Congolese troops. Reports indicate that panic is rising in Bukavu, prompting residents to secure their homes and attempt to leave the area amidst increasing chaos at the border with Rwanda.

United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk cautioned on Friday that the situation in eastern DRC could deteriorate further if urgent action is not taken. He noted that nearly 3,000 fatalities have been recorded since the onset of the M23’s assault on Goma, with higher numbers likely as investigations continue into grave human rights violations.

The M23 has already appointed its own local administration in Goma and has ambitions to advance to the national capital of Kinshasa, despite the significant distance involved. The DRC military, hindered by issues of training and corruption, has faced numerous setbacks against the advancing group, raising concerns regarding potential escalations into a broader regional conflict involving nations such as South Africa, Burundi, and Malawi.

In conclusion, the urgent call for an immediate ceasefire by African leaders at the DRC summit highlights the critical need for a resolution to the escalating conflict that has led to immense humanitarian crises. The M23’s territorial advances coupled with local fears paint a troubling picture for the future stability of the region. Without decisive international intervention and support, the situation may deteriorate further, exacerbating the ongoing violence and suffering of civilians.

Original Source: www.kpvi.com