Namibia, through its Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, has called for an end to violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), urging the silencing of guns, citing concerns over the conflict's potential to spread to neighboring countries as the March 23 (M23) group remains at the heart of the crisis.
“Namibia is monitoring with great concern the escalation of conflict and the deteriorating security situation in the eastern part of the DRC and expresses hope that only regional mediation and diplomatic efforts will bring about lasting peace in the DRC and halt the tension between the DRC and the Republic of Rwanda,” he said.
Naanda further indicated that Namibia echoes the Southern African Development Community (SADC) statement denouncing the aggression by the rebel group and implored the region to support peace efforts in eastern DRC, emphasizing that Namibia reaffirms the United Nations (UN) charter and its principles on resolving disputes among countries through diplomatic means.
He further called on all parties to exercise restraint and spare civilian lives, allowing humanitarian aid to reach the affected areas unhindered.
M23 has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, with gunfire ringing out across parts of Goma with a population of over 2 million over the weekend. News reports suggest the DRC and Rwandan troops have also exchanged fire on Monday along their shared border.