In eastern DRC, fighting is intensifying between a coalition of armed groups (Wazalendo) and the M23 rebels, while the Congolese army says it is observing the ceasefire in accordance with regional resolutions. These clashes which caused deaths and a movement of population displacement worry the USA. In a statement released Thursday, the US Embassy in Kinshasa affirmed that this crisis requires a political and not a military solution.
Threatening to sanction those who undermine peace and security in eastern DRC, Washington nevertheless encourages all parties to the conflict to comply with decisions taken within the framework of regional peace initiatives.
“The crisis in eastern DRC requires a political and not a military solution. We urge all parties to fully adhere to the agreements reached in recent regional mediation processes, including the ceasefire observed since March 7, 2023, and we advocate secure access and rapid investigation by verification and monitoring. We reiterate our own commitment to supporting this process and we will use all available diplomatic tools to isolate and condemn those who undermine peace and security in eastern DRC,” said Lucy Tamlyn, US Ambassador to the DRC.
Fighting between the Wazalendo (patriots) and the M23 is reported in Rutshuru territory.
According to local civil society, the rebels supported by Kigali have lost several localities.
In this context of crisis, the USA called on the government of the DRC, MONUSCO and the Regional Force of the East African Community to redouble their efforts to ensure the protection of civilians within the framework of their competences and respective mandates and in a coordinated manner.
“We call on all authorities concerned to allow affected populations to have unhindered access to humanitarian aid. Recognizing the increasing burden that newly displaced communities will place on the severely underfunded humanitarian response, we reiterate our commitment as the largest donor of humanitarian aid to the DRC and call on all partners to show generosity in supporting the populations. vulnerable,” said the American diplomat.
The Congolese Minister of Defense, Jean-Pierre Bemba, declared this Thursday that the occupation of several localities in the province of North Kivu by the Rwandan army operating under cover of the M23 is, according to him, part of the ” diabolical plan” of the Kagame administration aimed at “sabotaging any effort to stabilize peace and development in the DRC”.
