The capture of extensive territories in the mineral-rich eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo by M23 rebels has sparked a humanitarian and diplomatic crisis involving neighboring nations. Numerous African armies have deployed troops in the conflict area, which has a history of external interference.
Due to its vast size, being two-thirds the size of Western Europe, the DR Congo is a member of both the East and Southern African blocs. These regional groupings are coming together for an emergency summit on Saturday to try to halt the ongoing conflict.
Key players in this crisis include Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who aims to reclaim lost territories from the rebels, particularly the major town of Goma, and prevent further advancements. Tshisekedi accuses Rwandan President Paul Kagame of supporting the M23 with arms and troops, alleging an invasion of Congolese territory to exploit its mineral resources and orchestrate regime change.
The claim of Rwandan backing for the M23 is based on a UN report and widely accepted by many African and Western governments, who have called for Kagame to withdraw his forces. Despite international demands for action, there has been a lack of concrete measures in response to Kinshasa’s appeals for sanctions.
Tshisekedi is also concerned about maintaining his political position, fearing internal opposition or military dissent. Meanwhile, Kagame, a long-standing leader of Rwanda, downplays accusations of military support to the M23, emphasizing self-defense against armed groups with ties to the Rwandan genocide.
Rwanda insists that the conflict is primarily a Congolese issue and demands direct negotiations between Kinshasa and the M23, which the rebels refuse. Ultimately, Rwanda seeks to uphold its influence in eastern DR Congo, citing security and economic interests while denying allegations of illicit mineral trade.
Amidst the crisis, personal tensions between Kagame and Tshisekedi play a role, with Kagame seeking to assert dominance within the bloc. The conflict underscores the complex dynamics and interests at play among the involved nations.
“Rwanda is determined to continue fighting until concessions are made and they are given more freedom in North Kivu,” stated Richard Moncrieff, an observer of Africa’s Great Lakes region from the International Crisis Group (ICG). Rwanda perceives Burundi’s military presence in eastern DR Congo as a security threat, with Burundi having stationed thousands of soldiers there for years initially to target Burundian rebels, but now backing the Kinshasa army in combat against the M23 rebels.
Tensions between Rwanda and Burundi are strained due to their similar ethnic compositions, although the majority Hutus hold power in Burundi in contrast to Rwanda. Accusations of attempted government overthrow have been exchanged between the two nations. Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye has issued a stern warning on social media regarding potential conflicts with Rwanda, emphasizing the need to prevent war from extending into Burundi.
The situation heightens with the M23’s advancement towards South Kivu closer to Burundi’s border, where its forces are stationed. The objective for Burundi is primarily regime survival, as they fear Rwandan influence in South Kivu could destabilize the Bujumbura government. Preventing the rebellion from encroaching closer to home is crucial.
The fear of a resurgence of the regional conflicts from the late 1990s looms large, drawing in numerous countries and causing significant casualties. The potential direct confrontation between Rwandan and Burundian forces could escalate DR Congo’s conflict across borders. Uganda, although not directly engaged, has troops in eastern DR Congo aiding the government in combating militants linked to the Islamic State group.
Amidst the complex dynamics, Uganda’s role remains ambiguous, assisting the Congolese while facing allegations of supporting the M23. Kampala has positioned its forces defensively to address various armed groups exploiting the crisis, denying any direct support to the M23. However, reports suggest Ugandan soldiers moving towards the conflict area, sparking concerns of regional escalation.
Similar to Rwanda, Uganda has intervened in eastern DR Congo previously under the guise of border protection but has been accused of resource exploitation, particularly gold mining. Analysts anticipate Uganda safeguarding its economic interests while monitoring Rwanda’s activities to maintain influence in the region.
South Africa has provided the bulk of troops for a regional force supporting the Congolese army, facing significant casualties. A contentious exchange between Kigali and Johannesburg emerged after South Africa attributed the deaths of 14 soldiers to the Rwandan Defense Forces, leading to strained relations between the two nations.
In a tense diplomatic standoff, the Defence Minister of South Africa issued a stern warning to Rwandan President Kagame, cautioning that any further gunfire would be viewed as a provocation for war. This declaration did not sit well with President Kagame, who vehemently denied the allegations, branding the South Africans as an aggressive force that ought to vacate the Democratic Republic of Congo immediately.
The rift between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has reached a boiling point, with diverging stances on the conflict escalating in the region. The EAC aligns itself with Rwanda’s push for direct negotiations between Kinshasa and the rebel group M23, advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. Conversely, Sadc has condemned the Rwandan Defence Force’s (RDF) assaults on Sadc troops, particularly soldiers from Tanzania and Malawi, emphasizing their unwavering dedication to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DR Congo.
The clash of perspectives between these two influential African blocs underscores the complexities and challenges inherent in addressing the conflict in the region. As tensions mount and accusations fly, the need for a unified approach to foster peace and stability becomes increasingly apparent.
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