A catastrophic conflict is looming in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as tensions between Rwanda and the DRC have been escalating for months. The crisis began when the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, seized the city of Goma in eastern DRC last week. France and the UK have demanded that Rwandan forces leave the DRC immediately, while South Africa has warned of a “declaration of war” if further attacks occur.
The conflict is fueled by rare minerals such as coltan and cobalt, which are used in digital devices. Rwanda claims that Hutu extremists sheltering in eastern Congo are responsible for the violence, but the DRC accuses Rwanda of orchestrating the offensive to loot the DRC of these minerals.
International pressure has mounted, leading to a ceasefire agreement between M23 and the DRC. However, experts say it is not enough and that a “durable solution” is needed to address the root causes of the conflict. The situation has also raised concerns about corruption within the DRC’s government, with many recruits demoralized by low pay and the presence of well-paid mercenaries.
The crisis highlights Rwanda’s history of supporting extremist groups and its alleged role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which killed hundreds of thousands of Tutsis. The international community has a complex relationship with Rwanda, having provided aid and development projects to the country while also criticizing its human rights record.
As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen whether a peaceful resolution can be reached or if the conflict will escalate into all-out war.
Source: https://theweek.com/world-news/the-catastrophic-conflict-looming-in-the-heart-of-africa