A humanitarian and diplomatic crisis has engulfed the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the seizure by the M23 rebels of vast tracts of land rich in minerals. The conflict involves neighboring countries, with several armies already deployed in the region.
At the center of the crisis are Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan leader Paul Kagame. Tshisekedi blames Rwanda for backing the M23 rebels, claiming that Kigali is looting Congolese territory’s mineral wealth and orchestrating regime change.
However, Rwanda denies any military support to the M23. Kagame maintains that his priority is to destroy an armed group formed by Hutu genocide perpetrators who fled to eastern DR Congo. He demands direct talks with Kinshasa, while Tshisekedi seeks international pressure on Kigali.
Other countries are playing different roles in the crisis. Uganda has troops in eastern DR Congo, allegedly providing support to the M23 rebels while also hunting down militants connected to the Islamic State group. South Africa is contributing to a regional peacekeeping force and has been accused by Rwanda of backing Kinshasa’s side in the conflict.
A broader division exists between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), with the EAC supporting Rwanda’s call for direct talks between Kinshasa and the M23. The region is at risk of a repeat of the two wars that engulfed it in the late 1990s, drawing in nine countries and causing millions of deaths.
The conflict has raised concerns about regional instability, as neighboring countries vie for influence in eastern DR Congo.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8qp6p39e9o