DRC President Urges Military Recruitment Amid M23 Rebel Advance

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have captured two districts in eastern DRC, prompting President Tshisekedi to call for mass military enlistment. He criticized international inaction during this escalation while acknowledging the threat to provincial capitals like Bukavu. Rwanda maintains a significant military presence in support of M23, raising concerns and diplomatic pressures from the U.S. and other nations over its involvement.

As Rwandan-backed rebels gained ground in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi called for a mass enlistment of youth into the army and promised a robust response against the advancing M23 group. Local reports confirmed that fighters captured two districts in South Kivu without encountering resistance, raising alarms regarding the possibility of advancing towards the provincial capital, Bukavu.

Following recent turmoil in Goma, where rebel forces successfully entered the capital of North Kivu, Tshisekedi emphasized the need for a unified military strategy. He criticized the international community’s inaction, describing it as an affront in light of the deteriorating security situation that threatens to escalate violence in the broader Great Lakes region.

The M23 rebels reportedly receive support from approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops, a significant increase from their previous strength in 2012. This has attracted international concern, leading to statements from the U.S., Germany, and the UK regarding Rwanda’s role in the escalating conflict, marking a sharp rise in diplomatic pressures.

Despite this condemnation, Rwanda’s involvement appears unwavering, with leaders in Kigali asserting intentions to continue military operations. President Tshisekedi declined an emergency summit with the East African Community and suggested a necessary focus on bilateral talks to address the violence.

The conflict is further complicated by DRC’s rich mineral resources, including gold and cobalt, which fuel the ongoing tensions. Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of exploiting the situation for economic gain, a claim supported by UN investigations indicating Rwanda’s extensive military presence and control over the M23 group.

The M23 rebellion’s resurgence in the DRC poses significant challenges amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Great Lakes region. This conflict has its roots in historical ethnic strife, particularly involving Hutu and Tutsi dynamics exacerbated by the Rwandan genocide. With DRC’s vast mineral wealth at stake, the international community is alarmed by Rwanda’s military support for M23, as it threatens regional stability and security for millions of civilians displaced by the violence.

In summary, the DRC faces a dire security crisis as M23 rebels, supported by Rwandan forces, advance deeper into the region. President Tshisekedi’s call to arms and condemnation of international inaction highlight the urgency of the situation. Ongoing accusations against Rwanda regarding exploitation of mineral resources compound the complexities of the conflict, prompting calls for increased diplomatic engagement and military response.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com