Wayne Lumbasi
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused Rwanda of killing more than 1,500 civilians in eastern Congo since early December, during a fresh offensive by the M23 rebel group. Congolese authorities cited civil society reports confirmed by humanitarian sources and state services, describing the attacks as “a clear act of aggression against national sovereignty” and a “serious and repeated violation of international law.”
The surge in violence began just days after a U.S.-brokered peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda was signed on December 4. Despite the accord, M23 forces, allegedly backed by Rwanda, seized the strategic town of Uvira in South Kivu early last month, triggering mass displacement. Tens of thousands of residents fled across the border into neighboring Burundi, according to local officials and UN agencies.
Kinshasa has further accused Kigali of deploying three additional Rwandan battalions into South Kivu, allegedly aiming to extend influence toward the mineral-rich province of Tanganyika. The United Nations estimates that the recent clashes have displaced roughly 500,000 people, intensifying an already severe humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.
While Rwanda has repeatedly denied any direct involvement in supporting M23 militarily, Congolese authorities insist the evidence points to continued Rwandan military activity in the region. Humanitarian organizations have warned of escalating civilian suffering, with many villages reportedly destroyed and essential services disrupted.
The latest outbreak of violence has cast doubt over the durability of recent peace efforts in the region, raising urgent concerns among international observers. Regional leaders and the United Nations have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and renewed dialogue to prevent further civilian casualties and stabilize eastern Congo.
The situation remains tense, with continued fighting threatening to further destabilize an already fragile region and exacerbate one of Africa’s most protracted conflicts.
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