DRC Congo Vs Rwanda Conflict: EAC and AU Intervene.
By Caroline Ameh
On Wednesday, 29th January, 2025, the East African Community Heads of States under the Chairmanship of Kenyan President William Ruto held a virtual Summit to deliberate on recent developments in the Eastern Democratic republic of Congo. According to the Communique made available to journalists, the summit expressed concern about the expanding crisis manifesting in attacks on Diplomatic Missions, Embassies and staff based in Kinshasha, and urged the government of DRC to protect Diplomatic Missions, lives and properties.
The Summit also called on all parties to the conflict in Eastern DRC to cease hostilities and observe immediate and unconditional ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian access to the affected population.
In a similar vein, the African Union Peace and Security Council has expressed grave concern over the increased tension between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and strongly condemns the heinous attacks by the M23, which resulted in the loss of lives, injuries and displacements, especially women and children and warned that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
The African Union Peace and Security Council called for the an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of M23 from Minova, Sake and Goma as well as other occupied areas in the DRC and all other foreign armed and terrorist groups operating in the DRC. The Council called for respect and adherence to international Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law, the protection of civilians, internally displaced people (IDP) camps and medical sites.
Since 2022, the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been embroiled in a conflict with her neighbour, Rwanda. According to UN Group of Experts, this has led to more than 7.2 million IDPs and thousands of casualties.
The conflict is intense around the eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has been fighting against the Congolese Army. The DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, while Rwanda claims it’s fighting against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group that took part in the Rwandan Genocide.
There has been a significant breakdown in relations between the two countries, with the DRC accusing Rwanda of invading its territory and Rwanda accusing the DRC of working with the FDLR. The situation has been further complicated by the involvement of other countries, including the United States, which has called for Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the DRC.
In recent months, the conflict has intensified, with the M23 rebels capturing several towns in the eastern DRC, including Minova and Nyanzale. The DRC has responded by cutting off diplomatic relations with Rwanda and recalling its Embassy staff. The UN has estimated that around 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are in the DRC, assisting the M23 rebels, and has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
So, what does Rwanda want in the DRC? It’s believed that Rwanda is trying to achieve several goals, including securing its borders, gaining control over the mineral-rich regions of the DRC, and becoming a regional hub for value-adding transformation of mineral resources. Rwanda has also been accused of exploiting the DRC’s natural resources, including gold and tantalum, and exporting them without labeling them as “conflict minerals”.
