UN Secretary-General Guterres Urges M23 Rebels to Halt Offensive in DRC
António Guterres urges M23 rebels to cease their assault in eastern DRC, where over 178,000 people have been displaced. The group’s rapid advance poses heightened risks for civilians and regional conflict. Recent captures include key towns surrounding Goma, leading to widespread panic and casualties. The DRC faces one of the largest humanitarian crises, compounded by accusations of external support for M23.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed grave concerns regarding the M23 rebel group’s offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Their recent advances have displaced over 178,000 individuals, prompting increased fears of an expanding regional conflict. In a statement made through his spokesperson, Guterres urged M23 to halt its offensive immediately, citing the devastating impact on civilians.
The M23 group has captured strategic areas surrounding Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, recently taking control of towns such as Minova and Sake. Their rapid progress has caused widespread panic, with explosions resonating on the outskirts of Goma, and hospitals filled with casualties from the fighting. Thousands have fled toward Goma, seeking safety from the rebels’ advance.
Helicopter gunships from the Congolese army have been deployed to combat the M23 insurgency, with troops mobilizing toward the frontline. Many residents, particularly from Sake, have escaped by various means, including boats across Lake Kivu, carrying their belongings as they sought refuge. Personal accounts reveal the harrowing circumstances faced by civilians amidst the violence, with families suffering significant losses and injuries.
The DRC has faced protracted conflict from various rebel groups, leading to one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. M23, primarily composed of Tutsi individuals, has over 8,000 fighters and controls lucrative mining regions that financially support its operations. The group has been implicated in longstanding regional tensions, with accusations against Rwanda for supporting M23 undermining regional stability.
United Nations reports have indicated the presence of Rwandan forces collaborating with M23, raising concerns of Rwanda’s accountability for the group’s actions. Past instances include M23’s temporary occupation of Goma in 2012. Guterres has called for a commitment to respect DRC’s sovereignty and urged an end to all forms of support for armed groups operating in the region, whether local or international.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been embroiled in conflict for decades, with various armed groups vying for control over its resource-rich eastern regions. The M23 rebel group emerged from a history of regional instability, with roots tracing back to the complex ethnic and political tensions in the area. The DRC’s humanitarian crisis has reached alarming proportions, with millions displaced and fatalities numbering in the millions since the late 1990s. The ensuing conflict has also drawn in neighboring countries, complicating efforts toward stability and peace in the region.
In conclusion, António Guterres’s appeal for the M23 rebel group to cease its offensive highlights the critical humanitarian situation unfolding in eastern DRC. With thousands displaced and lives lost amidst the ongoing violence, measures must be taken to restore peace and protect civilians. The call for respecting DRC’s sovereignty and ending support for armed factions is vital in mitigating the crisis and fostering long-term stability in the region.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
