The United Nations Security Council has expressed grave concern over the escalating conflict currently enraging the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
They particularly denounced the recent offensive initiated by the M23 rebel group near the city of Goma.
These clashes, which have intensified in recent times, pit the M23, among the most formidable of numerous armed factions in the region, against the Congolese army.
Allegations from the DRC government, as well as the UN and Western nations, accused Rwanda of backing the rebels, allegedly to assert control over the region’s abundant mineral resources. However, this accusation was vehemently denied by Kigali.
In a meeting convened to address the issue, Council members not only cited their condemnation of all armed groups operating in the DRC but specifically denounced the M23 offensive launched on February 7th.
The humanitarian toll of the conflict is on the high, with thousands of civilians forced to flee. Consequently, the region is now in a dire humanitarian situation.
Additionally, reports indicate that the Rwandan army may be providing sophisticated weaponry, such as surface-to-air missiles, to support the M23 rebels.
Amid this turmoil, the decision by the UN Security Council in December to accede to Kinshasa’s request for a withdrawal of UN forces from the DRC raises questions about the efficacy of international peacekeeping efforts in the face of the conflict and external involvement.
