Rwandan President Paul Kagame has urged Congolese authorities to engage in negotiations with the M23 rebel group, which has recently seized strategic towns in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The group’s escalating territorial advances are worsening instability in the volatile region bordering Rwanda.
M23, one of the most prominent armed factions in eastern Congo, is part of over 100 militias competing for control in the mineral-rich area.
The ongoing conflict has displaced more than a million people in the past year, highlighting its devastating humanitarian toll.
Kagame emphasized the need for the DRC government to address its internal challenges. “If the DRC government is not encouraged to take responsibility for its people and its country, and everyone joins them in blaming others for their problems, how do you expect Congo to address these issues that affect all of us?” he stated.
In recent weeks, the M23 rebels have captured key towns, including Katale and Masisi, bringing them closer to Goma, the regional capital of North Kivu province.
This rapid territorial expansion has heightened tensions across the region.
Kagame traced the roots of the M23 group to previous conflicts, explaining that many of its leaders and fighters fled to Uganda as refugees during the crises of 2012 and 2013. “These leaders of M23 and most of their fighters came from Uganda, where they sought refuge during those years,” he said.
The Rwandan president expressed frustration over Rwanda being implicated in the conflict. “The fighting was initiated by a group based in Uganda. How did it become Rwanda’s problem? What is the basis for this, and how long do we need to explain ourselves?” Kagame asked.
Despite his call for dialogue, the DRC government has consistently accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, an allegation Kigali denies.
Moreover, the Congolese government has dismissed Kagame’s proposal for talks with the rebel group, further complicating prospects for peace in the region.
Africanews/Patience Ameh
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