DRC tells UN the Rwanda-backed rebel advance is ‘a declaration of war’
3 min readThe Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has issued a stern warning to the United Nations, describing the ongoing advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the eastern part of the country as “a declaration of war.” Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, DRC’s foreign minister, made this statement during an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on Sunday. She condemned what she called an “attack of unprecedented intensity” and accused Rwanda of violating Congolese sovereignty by deploying additional troops across the border markers between Goma and Gisenyi, in what she called an “open and deliberate” act of aggression.
Wagner emphasized that Rwanda’s actions, which took place “in broad daylight,” were no longer hidden behind diplomatic gestures but were a direct military incursion. “This is a frontal aggression, a declaration of war,” she said, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The remarks come as M23 rebels, who claim to defend Tutsi interests, have made significant gains in the region, with reports stating that they and their Rwandan allies have entered the outskirts of Goma, a strategic city located in the eastern DRC. Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, is home to around two million people and is a key hub for humanitarian efforts and security operations in the region.
The M23 rebel group, which has been fighting the DRC government for years, has made considerable territorial advances in recent weeks. They are reportedly receiving support from Rwanda, a claim that Rwanda denies. Instead, Rwanda blames the DRC for harboring the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group composed of Hutus who fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide, which targeted Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Ernest Rwamucyo, reiterated Rwanda’s position during the Security Council session. He said, “For the last three decades, instability, attacks, infiltration, shelling, and loss of life due to armed groups’ activities on Rwandan territory have come singularly from across the border, from DRC.” Rwanda’s government has long accused the DRC of providing support to the FDLR, and Rwamucyo argued that the DRC must expel the group from its territory to restore peace. “Why is DRC preserving the FDLR, making it a strategic ally?” he asked. “DRC must disengage, neutralize, and completely expel FDLR from its territory so that we can have peace.”
In response to the escalating conflict, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Rwanda to pull its troops from the DRC and cease providing support to the M23 rebels. Guterres called on Rwanda to respect Congolese sovereignty and end its involvement in the violence near Goma. The fighting, which has already resulted in the deaths of several foreign peacekeepers, continues to spiral out of control. On Monday, the M23 rebels claimed to have captured the city of Goma, further exacerbating the tensions in the region.
The situation in Goma is part of a broader conflict that has plagued the eastern DRC for years, with various armed groups vying for control over the region’s valuable resources. The DRC government has struggled to maintain authority in the face of multiple rebellions and incursions from neighboring countries, including Rwanda. Tensions between the two countries have been high for years, largely due to the presence of Rwandan Hutu militants in the DRC, whom Rwanda accuses the DRC of harboring.
The escalating violence in eastern DRC is putting immense pressure on the civilian population. As fighting intensifies, Goma is facing severe disruptions to its daily life, with many people fleeing the city in search of safety. The humanitarian crisis is deepening, with millions already displaced by ongoing conflict in the region.
International calls for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic engagement are growing louder as the situation becomes increasingly dire. The United Nations and other international bodies have urged both Rwanda and the DRC to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The UN’s peacekeeping mission in the region, MONUSCO, is also facing increasing challenges as it works to protect civilians amid the worsening violence.
With both sides blaming each other for the conflict, and the M23 rebels continuing their advance toward Goma, the path to peace remains unclear. The international community is calling for urgent intervention to prevent further bloodshed and to help broker a lasting peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC.
Source: African News Agency
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