Renewed Violence Erupts in Eastern DRC Amid Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

Fighting erupted in eastern DRC as M23 rebels attacked the Congolese army, just days after a ceasefire call by African leaders. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced many. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, which seeks to control significant territories and has established an administration in Goma. A humanitarian crisis worsens with ongoing cholera cases among the displaced. The situation will be addressed at an African Union meeting amid increasing international calls for de-escalation.

Fighting resumed on Tuesday in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), merely three days following the leaders of Africa’s appeal for a ceasefire and a short pause in conflict. Reports from local and security sources indicated that M23 fighters launched attacks on Congolese army positions in South Kivu province at dawn. The DRC government has labeled the M23 rebel group a terrorist organization, which is also recognized as an armed rebel group by the United Nations and the United States. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting these rebels, an allegation denied by the Rwandan government.

This escalation follows calls from East and Southern African leaders to devise a plan for an unconditional ceasefire by Thursday, in a conflict responsible for thousands of deaths and the displacement of many individuals. Over the recent months, the M23 group has captured significant territories in mineral-rich eastern DRC after rearming in late 2021. Significant advances were reported in South Kivu after they recaptured Goma, the capital of the adjacent North Kivu province, at the end of last month.

Clashes occurred near Ihusi village, approximately 70 kilometers from Bukavu and 40 kilometers from the local airport, as security sources reported detonations of heavy weaponry. Kavumu airport, crucial for troop reinforcements, is situated nearby. Anticipating an M23 offensive, Bukavu had witnessed school closures and commercial shutdowns as panic spread among residents. The city’s banks remained closed as fears of an attack escalated.

Should Bukavu fall under M23 control, it would allow the group and Rwandan troops to dominate Lake Kivu. Presently, around 300 Congolese soldiers face trial for severe charges including rape and murder. The M23 claims to strive for the liberation of Congo and the ousting of President Felix Tshisekedi. Recently, they attempted to infiltrate the highlands, targeting supply lines to the DRC army, although their advance was halted by Burundian soldiers supporting the Congolese forces, with reports indicating around 10,000 Burundian troops stationed in South Kivu.

The M23 has initiated administrative measures in Goma, which has a population of 1 million, establishing recruitment campaigns for a police force. The humanitarian crisis in Goma is worsening; many lack access to running water, resorting to using contaminated sources, leading to a surge in cholera cases among displaced persons, according to the UN humanitarian agency. Despite appeals from the United Nations for humanitarian aid transport, Goma’s airport remains closed.

The ongoing crisis will be addressed at an upcoming African Union meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Amid rising conflict, international calls for de-escalation are intensifying, amid concerns that tensions could escalate into a regional conflict. However, diplomatic attempts to resolve the ongoing strife have yielded limited success. DRC has sought “targeted sanctions” against Rwanda, but the impact has been negligible, with accusations of Rwanda seeking to exploit DRC’s natural resources, a claim Rwanda refutes, asserting a need to eliminate armed groups that threaten its security.

In a tragic incident in northeastern Ituri province, an attack by a militia affiliated with the Lendu ethnic group resulted in 51 fatalities among displaced individuals. The Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO), once a peaceful agricultural cooperative, has morphed into an armed rebel faction engaged in conflict with the Hema community. This violence is indicative of the broader instability that has plagued the DRC for over three decades, marred by numerous conflicts and insurgencies.

The renewed fighting in eastern DRC highlights the urgent need for effective diplomatic solutions to address the long-standing complexities in the region. Accusations against Rwanda regarding support for the M23 group exacerbate tensions, while the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate, particularly in Goma. The international community’s response will be pivotal in mitigating the potential for further escalation and violence, which has persisted for over three decades in the DRC.

Original Source: www.voanews.com