DEMOCRATIC Republic Of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi Has Called On Rwandan President Paul Kagame To End Support For The M23 Rebel Group, Urging Him To Work Toward Lasting Peace In The Great Lakes Region.
Tshisekedi Made The Remarks During The Global Gateway Forum In Brussels, Belgium, Where Both Leaders Were In Attendance. Speaking Shortly After Kagame’s Address At The EU-Hosted Investment Conference, Tshisekedi Said, “I Extend My Hand To You, President, To Bring Us Peace.”
The DRC Leader Stressed That Peace Requires Concrete Action, Including Ordering The M23 Rebels, Allegedly Backed By Rwanda, To Stop Fueling The Ongoing Conflict In Eastern Congo A Crisis That Has Claimed Thousands Of Lives. “Let Us Have The Courage To Look At Ourselves And Take The Right Decisions For Our People,” He Added.
President Kagame, In His Earlier Remarks, Did Not Directly Respond To Tshisekedi’s Comments Or Address The Situation In Eastern DRC. He Instead Referred To South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Call For Stronger Regional Cooperation On Peace, Trade, And Investment.
Eastern DRC Has Suffered From Over Three Decades Of Insecurity, With Armed Groups Frequently Targeting Civilians. The M23 Insurgency, Reignited In Late 2021, Has Led To A Major Humanitarian Crisis As Rebels Captured Key Cities Such As Bukavu And Goma. According To The United Nations, Thousands Have Died Since January, While Hundreds Of Thousands More Have Been Displaced.