The Rwandan-backed M23 is closed in the town of Kavum in South Kivu, and is offensive, killing thousands and leaving many behind.
The African leaders’ summit to deal with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) crisis has directed the Army chiefs within five days to “provide technical direction for immediate and unconditional ceasefires.”
The meeting, which came to an end in Tanzania on Saturday, brought together leaders from eight countries from East African Communities (EAC) and 16 South African Development Communities (SADC).
They also called for openings to humanitarian corridors that evacuated the dead and were injured.
The Rwandan-backed M23 armed groups quickly seized a mineral-rich belt of the territory of the Eastern DRC in an attack that left thousands of deaths and a massive number of evacuated. Rwanda has denied military support for the M23.
The group won the strategic city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu last week, and is being pushed into neighbouring South Kivu in the latest episode of decades-long turmoil in the area.
The summit occurred on Saturday amid reports that M23 is being closed in the town of Kabum in South Kivu.
“We call on all parties to make a ceasefire happen, specifically calling on the M23 to further advance and the DRC’s troops to halt all retaliatory measures,” said Kenya, current chair of the EAC. William Ruto, president of the film, began his remarks.
Since the re-emergence of the M23 in 2021, peace negotiations hosted by both Angola and Kenya have failed, causing multiple ceasefires to collapse. The attacks raised fears of regional wars given the militarily engaged in supporting the DRC by several countries, including South Africa, Burundi and Malawi.
Last year, Rwanda had a force of around 4,000 people in the DRC, benefiting from smuggling huge amounts of gold and coultan, essential minerals for mobile phones and laptops, abroad, according to a report from the United Nations. Ta.
Rwanda has accused the DRC of protecting the FDLR, an armed group created by Hotus, a people who slaughtered Tuttis during Rwanda’s genocide in 1994.
UN Rights Chief Volker Turk warned on Friday that “If nothing is done, the worst may not yet be coming for the people of Eastern DRC.”
The Turks said nearly 3,000 people have been killed and 2,880 injured, and the final toll is likely to be much higher since M23 entered Goma on January 26th.
He also said his team is “currently confirming multiple allegations of rape, gang rape and sexual slavery.”
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