The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a complex web of competing interests and historical grievances. This article delves into the origins of the violence, highlighting the breakdown in talks surrounding the national army and the involvement of various militia and foreign troops. It also examines the latest developments, including the tragic loss of South African peacekeepers and the urgent calls for a ceasefire and renewed peace talks.
The ongoing violent clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) stem from a deep-rooted power struggle involving the national army and various warring factions. Former ambassador and national security advisor, Welile Nhlapo, explained to IOL the presence of thousands of militia and foreign troops in the region since 1994.
He highlighted the signing of the Lusaka Agreement in November 1994, where a breakdown occurred between the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD Goma) and other negotiating groups. 'RCD Goma did not sign as a unified group. They decided that each of the founding members must sign as individuals. This signaled the start of the problems. They were later integrated into the Congolese army.', Nhlapo stated.\He further elaborated on the core issue arising from the decision on how to build the new army in the DRC. The government's preference to choose its recruits, he explained, created sharp differences between Rwanda, Uganda, and the rest of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This disagreement, according to Nhlapo, laid the foundation for the emergence of the March 23 Movement (M23), a Congolese Tutsi-led, Rwandan-backed rebel group. Nhlapo stressed that 'What we are dealing with now, is the failure to deal with the question of building a national army as they had indicated would be the preferred route to go. Until and unless that problem is resolved, including the issue of citizenship for the Tutsi community, this will continue.' \The Rwandan government has maintained that the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, particularly the heavy fighting in Goma, was triggered by consistent violations of the ceasefire by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) in coalition with UN-sanctioned genocidal militia, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), European mercenaries, ethnic militias, Burundian armed forces, and SAMIDRC forces. They assert that the resurgence of M23 in late 2021 did not originate in Rwanda. Meanwhile, South Africa's participation in the peacekeeping mission through the SANDF has resulted in the tragic loss of 13 soldiers due to a mortar bomb attack launched by M23 rebels near Goma Airport. This incident has prompted calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation and offer condolences to the grieving families while assuring South Africans of the safety of the Defence Force. In response to the escalating violence, President Ramaphosa has engaged in discussions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame to address the situation in the eastern DRC. Both leaders have stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks involving all parties to the conflict
DR Congo Armed Conflict M23 Peacekeeping Rwanda South Africa Lusaka Agreement MONUSCO SAMIDRC
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