Renewed fighting in DR Congo as regional powers step up ceasefire efforts

Despite regional mediators’ pressure, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and pro-government fighters have fought in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

On Tuesday, the rebels battled pro-government fighters known as Wazalendo in North and South Kivu provinces. The day before, 24 members of two regional blocs, the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, held virtual discussions to resurrect faltering ceasefire initiatives.

Since January, the M23 has quickly taken the two largest cities in the Congo, Goma and Bukavu, killing thousands of people and causing hundreds of thousands more to flee their homes.

The conflict erupted on Monday when rebels refused to fulfill their agreement to leave the strategically important town of Walikale in North Kivu province.

Local civil society activist Muhindo Tafuteni reported to Reuters that clashes were occurring on Tuesday near the Congo-Uganda border on the day.

Fighting reportedly broke out in South Kivu in several towns north of Bukavu, the provincial capital, in February.

The Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23, is led by Corneille Nangaa, who vowed to fight on “like people who have nothing to lose” to ensure our nation’s future.

The rebel leader criticized the results of the meeting between Congolese and Rwandan leaders in Qatar last week, saying any efforts to achieve peace without the involvement of his group would fail.

Nangaa told The Associated Press that anything that is done without us is against us.

Regional peacemakers

A ceasefire plan, which is based on the long-term effects of the genocide in Rwanda and the fight for control of mineral riches, was discussed at a meeting between the EAC and the SADC on Monday.

The world’s largest technology is dependent on Congo’s mineral resources, which are estimated to be worth $ 24 trillion.

They claimed to have appointed five former state heads to help with the peace process in a statement afterward.

Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, and Catherine Samba Panza of the Central African Republic are the appointees.

The new panel will name a mediator to replace Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who withdrew from the position on Monday following years of efforts to slam a conflict between Rwanda and the DRC. The presidency of the Congo announced this.

After Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi dropped his long-held opposition to M23 negotiations, the rebels withdrew in protest of new EU sanctions. A meeting had previously been scheduled for Angola.

Burundi and tensions

President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, whose troops have fought in support of the country’s army against M23, claimed that Rwanda had a plan to attack Burundi as fighting continues.

Burundi claims that Rwanda supports the resurgent Red Tabara rebel group, claiming that it is doing so in a similar way to M23’s plan to cause mayhem in the DRC.

In an interview with the BBC, Ndayishimiye said, “They would say it’s an internal problem when it’s Rwanda who is the problem.” Because Congolese are being killed, “Burundians will not accept being killed.” The people of Bhutan are “fighters.”