https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240305/eu-concerned-over-growing-violence-in-drc-borrell-says-1065389099.html
EU Concerned Over Growing Violence in DRC, Borrell Says
EU Concerned Over Growing Violence in DRC, Borrell Says
Sputnik Africa
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union is concerned over the spike of violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and condemns the... 05.03.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-03-05T09:21+0100
2024-03-05T09:21+0100
2024-03-05T09:21+0100
sub-saharan africa
rwanda
democratic republic of the congo (drc)
united nations (un)
european union (eu)
josep borrell
central africa
east africa
conflict
m23 rebels
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M23 rebels have been on an offensive since mid-February, seeking to take control of the strategic city of Sake, located in the eastern DRC. The fighting pushed thousands of local residents to flee to the neighboring city of Goma. The UN Refugee Agency estimated that about 135,000 people from Sake were displaced. Regional media reported earlier in the day that the rebels are now advancing toward Goma.The EU condemns the actions of all armed groups in the eastern DRC, including "the latest offensive by M23," the bloc's top diplomat wrote, adding that all rebels must cease fire, withdraw from occupied areas and disarm.Any solution to the conflict must be political and in alignment with the UN-approved Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, Borrell said.The M23 group, which fights for the interests of the Tutsi ethnic minority in the DRC, first rebelled against the government in 2012, but suffered a major military defeat in 2013 and was disbanded. In 2021, the rebels took up arms again, accusing the country's authorities of violating agreements to integrate disarmed M23 rebels into the army.The DRC has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, while Rwanda has denied any connections with the movement. In March 2022, the group launched a major offensive in the DRC's North Kivu province to gain ground against the Congolese armed forces and local UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO and keeps on pushing into the Congolese territory to date.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240222/rwanda-refutes-allegations-by-france-of-supporting-m23-rebels-in-dr-congo-1065199562.html
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rwanda, democratic republic of the congo (drc), united nations (un), european union (eu), josep borrell, central africa, east africa, conflict, m23 rebels, ceasefire, attack
rwanda, democratic republic of the congo (drc), united nations (un), european union (eu), josep borrell, central africa, east africa, conflict, m23 rebels, ceasefire, attack
EU Concerned Over Growing Violence in DRC, Borrell Says
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union is concerned over the spike of violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and condemns the ongoing offensive of the March 23 Movement (M23), an armed group believed to be supported by Rwanda, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday.
M23 rebels have been on an offensive since mid-February, seeking to take control of the strategic city of Sake, located in the eastern
DRC. The fighting pushed thousands of local residents to flee to the neighboring city of Goma. The UN Refugee Agency estimated that about 135,000 people from Sake were displaced. Regional media reported earlier in the day that the rebels are now advancing toward Goma.
"The EU is extremely concerned by the escalation of violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the worsening of the humanitarian situation, exposing millions of people to human rights abuses including displacement, deprivation, and gender based violence. The military build-up as well as the use of advanced ground to air missiles and drones is a worrying escalation that further endangers the situation, in particular around Sake and Goma," Borrell wrote.
The EU condemns the actions of all armed groups in the eastern DRC, including "the latest offensive by M23," the bloc's top diplomat wrote, adding that all rebels must
cease fire, withdraw from occupied areas and disarm.
"The EU underscores the obligation for all States to stop any support to these armed groups," Borrell further wrote, specifying that Rwanda is expected to stop any support of M23 and end any military presence in the DRC, while the DRC is expected to stop any cooperation with and support of the FDLR armed group in neighboring Rwanda.
Any solution to the conflict must be political and in alignment with the UN-approved Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, Borrell said.
The M23 group, which fights for the interests of the Tutsi ethnic minority in the DRC, first rebelled against the government in 2012, but suffered a major military defeat in 2013 and was disbanded. In 2021, the rebels took up arms again, accusing the country's authorities of violating agreements to integrate disarmed M23 rebels into the army.
The DRC has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, while Rwanda has denied any connections with the movement. In March 2022, the group launched a major offensive in the DRC's North Kivu province to gain ground against the Congolese armed forces and local UN peacekeeping mission
MONUSCO and keeps on pushing into the Congolese territory to date.
