Fighting resumes in eastern DR Congo after brief lull
Fighting has erupted again in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after a two-day pause. Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have launched attacks on Congolese military positions in South Kivu province, local and security sources report.
Clashes broke out near Ihusi, about 70km from provincial capital Bukavu and 40km from Kavumu, where the region’s main military base and airport are located.
The violence comes despite a call from East and Southern African leaders at a summit on Saturday for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire within five days, amid fears the conflict could destabilise neighbouring countries.
Escalating conflict
The M23 rebel group has gained ground in eastern DRC since resuming its insurgency in 2021. Late last month, it seized control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.
The DRC has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the rebels and exploiting its natural resources, allegations Kigali denies. Kinshasa has urged the international community to sanction Rwanda over its involvement.
Failed diplomacy
The latest summit in Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam brought together leaders from the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, including Rwandan president Paul Kagame and Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi.
Previous efforts to broker peace have been largely unsuccessful. Kagame skipped a December summit in Angola, which led to an escalation of fighting and the fall of Goma. A recent virtual summit by the EAC also saw Tshisekedi absent.
An M23 soldier in the captured city of Goma © PHOTO ALEXIS HUGUET / AFP