United Nations special envoy to Congo, Bintou Keita, has called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to hostilities “without conditions” by Rwanda-backed rebels in eastern Congo.
“There is no military solution that will end this suffering. Peace, security, and development in eastern DRC require an end to violence and the commitment to inclusive dialogue and reconciliation,” Keita told reporters during a briefing on Friday.
The call for peace comes amid escalating violence in eastern Congo, where the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have launched a series of rapid advances in recent weeks. The rebels have captured two key cities in Congo’s mineral-rich east in less than a month after a major escalation in their yearslong fighting against overstretched and weakened Congolese forces.
With the support of thousands of troops from neighboring Rwanda, the M23 rebels first took Goma last month before marching to Bukavu this weekend in an unprecedented advance since they took up arms more than a decade ago, further raising fears of a regional war.
The rebels are believed to be supported by about 4,000 troops from Rwanda, according to U.N. experts. In some instances, they have threatened to advance as far as Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, which is over 1,000 miles away from their current positions.
The M23 Insurgency
The M23 is one of about 100 armed factions vying for control in eastern Congo, a region rich in natural resources such as gold, coltan, and diamonds. However, unlike most of the other militant groups, the M23 rebels are predominantly composed of ethnic Tutsis who previously attempted to integrate into the Congolese national army.
The group claims to be defending ethnic Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from persecution and discrimination by the Congolese government. However, many observers and critics argue that their campaign, with the backing of Rwanda, is more about securing economic and political dominance over the region.
M23’s resurgence has intensified tensions between Congo and Rwanda, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of violating its sovereignty and fueling instability in the region. Multiple reports from both U.S. and U.N. experts have confirmed that Rwanda is supplying the rebels with weapons and troops, despite repeated denials from Rwandan authorities.
Rwanda’s longtime President Paul Kagame has defended his country’s involvement, arguing that the Congolese government, led by President Félix Tshisekedi, has failed to address the grievances of the Tutsi community in eastern Congo. Kagame has also accused Tshisekedi’s administration of neglecting prior peace agreements that were meant to resolve the conflict.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
As the conflict intensifies, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence. Thousands of people have been displaced from their homes, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the region. According to humanitarian organizations, camps for internally displaced persons are overwhelmed, with limited access to food, clean water, and medical supplies.
Keita, who also leads the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, known as MONUSCO, described the situation as “unsustainable,” particularly following the fall of Goma. She noted that 1,400 high-risk individuals have sought protection from MONUSCO and urgently require a safe and dignified solution.
“MONUSCO urgently calls for a safe, dignified, and internationally supported solution for the transfer of these individuals to an alternative, secure location in full respect of their rights and choices,” said Keita.
She further emphasized that the continued occupation of parts of North Kivu by the M23, with the backing of the Rwandan Defense Forces, has significantly limited MONUSCO’s ability to fully implement its mandate in the province.
Keita also strongly condemned the continued activities and atrocities committed by another notorious armed group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). “The ADF’s brutal attacks on civilians have caused immense suffering in eastern DRC,” she said, calling for increased international efforts to address the crisis.
International Response and Calls for Accountability
The escalating conflict has drawn concern from the international community, with world leaders and human rights organizations urging an immediate cessation of hostilities. The African Union, the United Nations, and regional leaders have attempted to mediate peace, but tensions remain high as the situation continues to deteriorate.
Last week, the United Nations Human Rights Council announced the launch of a commission to investigate war crimes and human rights violations in the region. The commission will examine reports of atrocities committed by both the M23 rebels and the Congolese armed forces, including allegations of rapes and summary executions.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also called for increased global attention on the humanitarian situation, urging powerful nations to place diplomatic pressure on Rwanda to withdraw its support for the M23.
The U.S. government recently issued a statement condemning the violence and calling for accountability from all parties involved. “We call on Rwanda to immediately cease its military and logistical support for the M23 rebels,” said a U.S. State Department spokesperson.
Growing Fears of a Regional War
As the conflict rages on, fears of a broader regional war continue to grow. Eastern Congo has long been a battleground for proxy conflicts, with various neighboring countries accused of backing different militant groups for strategic and economic interests.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, one of Africa’s largest and most resource-rich nations, has endured decades of conflict fueled by ethnic tensions, foreign interventions, and struggles for control over valuable minerals.
With M23’s latest advances and Rwanda’s alleged direct involvement, analysts warn that the situation could spiral further out of control, drawing in more neighboring countries and escalating into a full-scale regional war.
Despite diplomatic efforts, the conflict remains unresolved, and civilians continue to suffer. Keita reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire and a political resolution to the crisis. “The only way forward is through dialogue, reconciliation, and a commitment to peace. The people of eastern DRC have suffered enough,” she said.
As international pressure mounts, it remains to be seen whether regional and global leaders will take decisive action to bring lasting peace to eastern Congo or if the violence will continue to engulf the region.
