Analysts warn that a rebellion in eastern Congo backed by Rwanda could widen into a regional conflict involving neighboring countries, including Uganda and Burundi.
The M23 rebels, led by Rwanda-backed forces, have been advancing across eastern Congo since last month’s capture of the city of Goma. The rebels’ next target is Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province, and they aim to eventually reach Kinshasa, Congo’s capital.
Regional leaders from east and southern Africa met over the weekend to discuss the crisis, but their joint meeting offered no strong proposals for ending the fighting beyond urging talks and an immediate ceasefire. The summit concluded with a statement welcoming “foundations for a collective approach” to securing peace, but analysts say long-shifting alliances in the region could lead to a collective collapse.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has sought help from regional allies, including troops from Burundi and Tanzania, who are deployed under the banner of a regional bloc. However, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame suspects Uganda of backing rebels opposed to him, adding to regional tensions.
The conflict in eastern Congo is fueled by Rwanda’s long-standing concern about ethnic Hutus allowed to operate in the region, which Rwanda accuses of participating in its 1994 genocide. The M23 rebellion contains many Congolese Tutsis, who are also at odds with the Rwandan government.
Analysts say both Rwanda and Uganda are key to stopping the violence, but their own friction and competing interests make it challenging to achieve a settlement. Diplomacy faces a great challenge as regional leaders draw lines in the sand.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/congo-m23-rebels-region-conflict-rwanda-89db7b707b96ffbf051c78f9defcf610