The Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A summary.

The protests against the Western-Backed Rwandan president Paul Kagame intensifies as he supports the Congolese Crisis. Here is a brief understanding of what is happening in DRC.

Since early February, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s capital, Kinshasa, has witnessed protests directed against western embassies. Demonstrators gathered in front of the British and French embassies, as well as United Nations buildings. Throughout the city, American and Belgian flags were burned. A large protest also erupted in Paris, besides the Rwandan embassy, and the police had to intervene to make sure it remained peaceful. These protests stem from the belief that western nations are complicit in the ongoing war in the eastern part of the DRC.

The trigger for these protests was the renewed advance of the rebel movement M23. M23, led by Congolese Tutsi, has a history of being supported by Rwanda. It emerged in April 2012, briefly took control of the eastern city of Goma in November 2012, and was subsequently defeated in 2013. However, in late 2021, the group resurfaced due to longstanding geopolitical tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. It now controls significant portions of territory, including access to Goma—a city of approximately 2 million people strategically located in the northern Kivu province bordering Rwanda. The rebel group's effective encirclement of Goma has raised concerns about supplies being cut off or the city falling under their control, leading to panic and further displacement.

Two critical aspects stand out in this context:

1. Silence Toward Rwanda:

- Despite extensive documentation by recent United Nations reports of direct Rwandan military support for the M23 rebellion (support that Rwanda denies), the international community remains relatively silent.

- Countries like Belgium and France have called on Rwanda to end its involvement, and the United States recently issued a strong statement condemning Rwanda's support for M23. However, concrete actions have been limited, and Rwanda continues to receive Western aid.

2. Lack of Global Attention:

- The current protests serve as an indictment of the lack of global attention to the broader Congolese crisis.

- While conflicts in Ukraine and Israel/Palestine receive significant coverage, the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the DRC often go unnoticed by the world community.

- During the African Cup of Nations, football fans of many nations were banned from having banners mentioning the conflict, and the Congolese national team were not given permission to wear black armbands. The courageous players wore them nonetheless, and made a sign to draw attention to the conflict by covering their mouths and placing two fingers on their temples.

These protests highlight the urgency of addressing the complex situation in the DRC and the need for sustained international engagement to alleviate the crisis. 🇨🇩🌍

Due to this conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the restive eastern region. Here are the critical details:

1. Armed Rebel Group M23:

- The renowned armed rebel group M23 is at the center of this crisis. Composed mainly of ethnic Tutsis, M23 broke away from the Congolese army over a decade ago.

- In recent weeks, there has been an upsurge in fighting between M23 rebels and the Congolese army forces.

- M23's actions threaten to cut off a major city and have left millions of people struggling for food and medical help.

- The United Nations plans to withdraw peacekeepers from the region by the end of the year.

2. Regional Complications:

- Tensions are escalating between the DRC and neighboring Rwanda. Both countries blame each other for supporting various armed groups.

- Congo accuses Rwanda of backing M23. Rwanda, in turn, denies this but has admitted to having troops and missile systems in eastern Congo.

- Rwanda cites security concerns due to a buildup of Congo army forces near the border.

- The conflict also has ties to the Rwandan genocide from 30 years ago, with M23 and Rwanda both fighting a threat posed by a Congolese rebel group partly composed of ethnic Hutus who were perpetrators of the 1994 genocide.

3. Displacement and Violence:

- Approximately 1 million people have already been displaced by the recent fighting in the last three months.

- The situation remains highly volatile, with humanitarian agencies working tirelessly to address urgent needs.

- Video evidence recently surfaced on Twitter (X) about the massive human rights abuse going on in the region. These videos show evidence of brutal rape, mutilation and murders committed by the M23 on the Congolese people living in the East.

The crisis in the DRC is multifaceted, involving armed conflicts, displacement, and regional tensions. Aid organizations are striving to provide assistance to those affected by this dire situation.

Sources:

(1) What’s happening in eastern Congo and why aid groups are warning of a new humanitarian crisis. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/whats-happening-in-eastern-congo-and-why-aid-groups-are-warning-of-a-new-humanitarian-crisis/ar-BB1iwGMx.

(2) What's Happening in Eastern Congo and Why Aid Groups Are Warning of a .... https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-02-19/whats-happening-in-eastern-congo-and-why-aid-groups-are-warning-of-a-new-humanitarian-crisis.

(3) Why is fighting flaring in eastern Congo? Could it threaten regional stability?. https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/why-is-fighting-flaring-in-eastern-congo-could-it-threaten-regional-stability-13739657.html.

(4) UN earmarks $100 million for poorly funded humanitarian crises. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/un-earmarks-100-million-for-poorly-funded-humanitarian-crises/ar-BB1iz8I6.

(5) Why aid groups are warning of a new humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/why-aid-groups-are-warning-of-a-new-humanitarian-crisis-in-eastern-congo.