DR Congo cuts diplomatic ties with Rwanda as M23 rebels claim major Congolese city
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially severed diplomatic relations with Rwanda amid escalating violence from Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
These rebels are advancing towards the strategically significant city of Goma, home to approximately 2 million people.
This surge in hostilities has resulted in numerous casualties among peacekeepers and combatants, displacing thousands of residents and raising fears of a humanitarian crisis.
In a statement on Saturday, January 25, the Congolese foreign ministry accused Rwanda of committing “a frontal aggression (and) a declaration of war”. DRC announced that diplomatic relations would cease immediately and that all diplomats would be withdrawn from Rwanda.
The M23 rebel group, composed mainly of ethnic Tutsis, has made substantial territorial gains north of Goma in recent weeks.
The DRC government, along with US officials and UN experts, accuses Rwanda of supporting these rebels. They have long been involved in the ongoing conflict in this mineral-rich region, which is notorious for its humanitarian challenges.
While the Rwandan government denies allegations of backing the M23, it acknowledges the presence of its troops in eastern Congo, citing increased Congolese military activity near the border as justification for its security actions. UN experts estimate that up to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers may be deployed within Congo at present.
The Rwandan government has not yet commented on this development. The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the violence, which had been originally scheduled for the following day.
Heavy gunfire could be heard in Goma as civilians fled towards the city centre, with the rebels recently capturing Sake, just 27 kilometres from Goma.
Since 2021, Congolese and allied forces have worked collaboratively to contain M23’s advances towards Goma. The UN peacekeeping operation in Congo, known as Monusco, has been in place for over twenty years and currently maintains approximately 14,000 personnel on the ground to ensure stability and support humanitarian efforts.
