Congo cuts ties with Rwanda amid escalating rebel conflict
The Democratic Republic of Congo has severed diplomatic relations with Rwanda. This decision is due to the government in Kigali supporting rebels who are attacking Congolese government forces. At least 13 soldiers from international peacekeeping forces have lost their lives in the internal conflict.
Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, informed AFP that there is no longer any diplomatic representative of Rwanda in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. "We evacuated our remaining diplomat on Friday, through Brazzaville, as he was under regular threats by Congolese officials," stated Rwanda's Foreign Minister.
The evacuation of officials was planned prior to the issuance of the "alleged verbal note" by the DRC authorities, the Rwandan politician added.
Tensions in Africa: Diplomatic ties severed with Rwanda
In recent days, nine soldiers from South Africa, three from Malawi, and one from Uruguay have died in clashes with M23 rebels. The militia from the M23 group has taken control of a significant area along the border with Rwanda. In doing so, the insurgents have approached the capital of North Kivu province, Goma, which has a population of 2 million.
Since 2021, Goma has been protected by the Congolese army, which is supported by UN peacekeeping forces and the Southern African Development Community. UN peacekeeping forces have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo for over twenty years and have around 14,000 soldiers.
The authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the UN accused Rwanda of fuelling the conflict by providing soldiers and weapons to the rebels. The authorities in Kigali deny this, although it contradicts information provided by the Congolese army. On Saturday, Rwandan snipers were allegedly responsible for the death of the military governor on the Northern Kivu frontline.
Approximately 120 different armed groups are operating in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, fighting for power, territory, and valuable mineral resources. Recent years have seen an escalation of attacks by rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), linked to the jihadist Islamic State.
The second most active armed group in the region is M23. The rebels are gradually taking over areas rich in gold from the government and have made the area around Goma their stronghold. The organisation's name comes from the peace agreement concluded between the rebels and the DRC government on 23 March 2009.
