The African Union on Sunday expressed its «extreme concern» over the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following advances by the rebel group March 23 Movement (M23).
«They call on all parties for an immediate ceasefire, respect for international law, security for civilians and stability of borders with all countries in the region,» the African Union said in a joint communiqué issued by the current chairman of the pan-African body, Macky Sall, and the chairman of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
They also call for a «constructive dialogue» within the mechanism foreseen in the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region and recall that a meeting of the inter-Congolese process is scheduled for November 4-13 for which they ask for «good faith».
The text reiterates the AU’s support for the Luanda Roadmap for the normalization of political relations between the DRC and Rwanda.
The M23, made up mainly of Tutsis, took up arms again in 2021 and has succeeded in recent days in seizing the towns of Kiwanja and Rutshuru, located along the main road serving Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, located in the east of the country and bordering Rwanda. UN experts accused Uganda and Rwanda of supporting the rebels, although both countries denied doing so.
The M23 has been accused since November 2021 of carrying out attacks against Army positions in North Kivu, despite Congolese authorities and the M23 signed in December 2013 a peace agreement following fighting since 2012 with the Army, which was supported by UN troops.
Relations between DRC and Rwanda have gone through moments of crisis since the massive arrival in eastern DRC of Rwandan Hutus accused of having massacred Tutsis during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. After a period of diplomatic relaxation, the conflict regained intensity in May, when the Congolese government summoned the Rwandan ambassador to denounce the country’s alleged support for the M23.
