What is happening in the DRC? | Explained
1 month, 2 weeks ago

What is happening in the DRC? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: The crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo is back in the spotlight after the M23 militia, backed by eastern neighbour Rwanda, captured the mineral-rich city of Goma, which lies on the border between the two countries. While the root cause of the crisis is generally attributed to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the region has been beset with conflict between the Hutus and Tutsis since colonial times; so much so that some 1,50,000 Tutsis had migrated to neighbouring countries even before Rwanda’s independence from Belgium in 1962. The war reached its inflection point in April 1994, when an aircraft carrying Rwandan President Juvenal Habriyamana and his Burundi counterpart Cyprien Ntarynira — two Hutus — was shot down. Formed in 2012, the M23 stands for Mouvement du 23 Mars — an abortive agreement signed on March 23, 2009, between the DRC government and the Tutsi-led National Congress for the Defence of the People. “If Rwanda continues to make conquests,” he wrote, “I know that war will even arrive in Burundi… One day he wants to come to Burundi — we’re not going to accept that.

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History of this topic

‘People need a break’: DRC conflict reignites dark memories of Congo wars
2 weeks, 1 day ago

‘People need a break’: DRC conflict reignites dark memories of Congo wars

Al Jazeera  

In parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, communities are gearing up for war or fleeing to safety amid the advance of M23 rebels, who captured the key eastern cities of Goma and Bukavu in recent weeks, leaving devastation in their wake. “We are indeed seeing a replica of the Second Congo War with the same actors but in …

Over 7,000 killed in eastern DR Congo since January: PM
Trending News
1 month ago

Over 7,000 killed in eastern DR Congo since January: PM

Raw Story  

by Robin MILLARD Violence raging in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has killed "more than 7,000 compatriots", many of them civilians, since last month, the Congolese premier said Monday. "The security situation in eastern DRC has reached alarming levels," Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, stressing that since January, "the deaths of …

Fighting in eastern DRC killed about 7,000 people since January, PM says
1 month ago

Fighting in eastern DRC killed about 7,000 people since January, PM says

Al Jazeera  

Judith Suminwa says more than 2,500 bodies buried without identification, ‘significant’ number of civilians among dead. More than 7,000 people have been killed in fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo since last month, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa says, with a “significant” number of civilians among the dead. Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Switzerland …

Fighting in eastern DRC killed about 7,000 people since January, PM says
1 month ago

Fighting in eastern DRC killed about 7,000 people since January, PM says

Al Jazeera  

Judith Suminwa says more than 2,500 bodies buried without identification, ‘significant’ number of civilians among dead. More than 7,000 people have been killed in fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo since last month, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa says, with a “significant” number of civilians among the dead. Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Switzerland …

As Rwanda-backed rebels seized Goma, the families of Congolese soldiers became a target
1 month ago

As Rwanda-backed rebels seized Goma, the families of Congolese soldiers became a target

Associated Press  

GOMA, Congo — The Rwanda-backed rebels who captured eastern Congo’s major city of Goma have targeted relatives of fleeing Congolese soldiers, the families say, with the troops’ wives chased from military barracks and left stranded in the city while some of their children are allegedly being forced to join the rebellion. Wives of Congolese government soldiers who were sent to …

Why have Rwanda-backed rebels seized 2 Congolese cities and is there an end in sight?
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

Why have Rwanda-backed rebels seized 2 Congolese cities and is there an end in sight?

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — Rwanda-backed rebels have captured two key cities in Congo’s mineral-rich east in less than a month after a major escalation in their yearslong fighting against overstretched and weakened Congolese forces. Rwanda’s longtime President Paul Kagame accuses Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi of overlooking the concerns of Congo’s ethnic Tutsis and ignoring previous peace agreements. The M23’s takeover of …

As the DRC battles Rwanda-backed M23, what’s needed to stop the fighting?
1 month, 2 weeks ago

As the DRC battles Rwanda-backed M23, what’s needed to stop the fighting?

Al Jazeera  

Analysts weigh in on Rwanda’s role in the conflict in DRC, whether minerals are a factor and if diplomacy can succeed. After the 1994 atrocities – during which Hutu extremists killed hundreds of thousands of mainly Tutsi people in Rwanda – many Hutus fled Kagame’s new government and settled across the border in eastern DRC. However, he said, this time: …

Leaders from eastern and southern Africa call for a ceasefire and negotiations in Congo
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Leaders from eastern and southern Africa call for a ceasefire and negotiations in Congo

Associated Press  

KAMPALA, Uganda — Leaders from eastern and southern Africa on Saturday called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Congo, where rebels are threatening to overthrow the Congolese government, but also urged Congo’s president to directly negotiate with them. Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended the summit along with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, who has angered the Rwandans by deploying …

Goma, DRC: Nearly 3,000 people killed after rebels seize key eastern city, UN says
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Goma, DRC: Nearly 3,000 people killed after rebels seize key eastern city, UN says

CNN  

CNN — Nearly 3,000 people have been killed in the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the United Nations, after it was captured by rebels following days of fierce fighting with the Congolese army. Vivian van de Perre, deputy head of the UN mission in DR Congo, said Wednesday that “so far 2,000 bodies …

DR Congo: Rebels call for ceasefire after hundreds are killed in a week of fighting
1 month, 3 weeks ago

DR Congo: Rebels call for ceasefire after hundreds are killed in a week of fighting

CNN  

CNN — A rebel group that claimed to have captured the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, after fighting with the Congolese military has left hundreds of people dead. In a statement on Monday, the rebel coalition, Alliance Fleuve Congo – which includes the M23 armed group …

DR Congo: Rebels call for ceasefire after hundreds are killed in a week of fighting
1 month, 3 weeks ago

DR Congo: Rebels call for ceasefire after hundreds are killed in a week of fighting

CNN  

CNN — A rebel group that claimed to have captured the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, after fighting with the Congolese military has left hundreds of people dead. In a statement on Monday, the rebel coalition, Alliance Fleuve Congo – which includes the M23 armed group …

Crisis in Congo: Over 900 dead, nearly 2,900 injured in Goma as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels tighten grip
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Crisis in Congo: Over 900 dead, nearly 2,900 injured in Goma as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels tighten grip

Firstpost  

The World Health Organization said that at least 900 bodies were recovered from the streets of Goma as of last Friday following five days of fighting in which the M23 rebels took control of the city. Image- Reuters Fighting last week between Congolese government forces and Rwanda-backed rebels in the major eastern city of Goma left at least 900 people …

Rwanda’s president says he doesn’t know if his country’s troops are in DRC
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Rwanda’s president says he doesn’t know if his country’s troops are in DRC

CNN  

CNN — Rwandan President Paul Kagame has told CNN he doesn’t know if his country’s troops are in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where fighting between the M23 armed group and Congolese soldiers has killed more than 900 people and injured thousands in recent days. Kagame’s stance was reiterated by the rebel group, whose spokesperson Victor Tesongo …

Rwanda’s president says he doesn’t know if his country’s troops are in DRC
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Rwanda’s president says he doesn’t know if his country’s troops are in DRC

CNN  

CNN — Rwandan President Paul Kagame has told CNN he doesn’t know if his country’s troops are in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where fighting between the M23 armed group and Congolese soldiers has killed more than 900 people and injured thousands in recent days. Kagame’s stance was reiterated by the rebel group, whose spokesperson Victor Tesongo …

Rwanda-backed rebels vow to take DRC capital after claiming capture of Goma
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Rwanda-backed rebels vow to take DRC capital after claiming capture of Goma

Al Jazeera  

Rwanda-backed rebels are closing in on the key eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo city of Bukavu, promising to continue their lightning offensive until they take the national capital. The bloody conflict in the eastern DRC took a dramatic turn this week when Kigali-backed fighters from the M23 claimed to take control of Goma in North Kivu province before advancing …

Rwanda-backed rebels take more towns as they expand control after seizing east Congo’s largest city
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Rwanda-backed rebels take more towns as they expand control after seizing east Congo’s largest city

Associated Press  

GOMA, Congo — Rebels backed by Rwanda captured more towns in eastern Congo on Wednesday as they moved beyond the key city of Goma in an apparent attempt to expand their control in the conflict-battered region. M23 rebels release captured Romanian mercenaries, who were fighting alongside Democratic Republic of Congo army, at Gisenyi border point in Congo, Wednesday, Jan. 29, …

Congo tries to slow the assault of Rwanda-backed rebels amid reports of dead bodies in the streets
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Congo tries to slow the assault of Rwanda-backed rebels amid reports of dead bodies in the streets

The Hindu  

Congolese security forces on Tuesday tried to slow the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who say they have captured Goma after entering eastern Congo's largest city, as U.N. officials reported violence, looting and bodies in the streets. Congo’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that the protesters’ damage to embassies were “sincerely …

Rwanda-backed M23 strengthens its control over DRC’s Goma
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Rwanda-backed M23 strengthens its control over DRC’s Goma

Al Jazeera  

Kenya has announced a virtual crisis summit, but Congolese state media says President Felix Tshisekedi will not attend. On Wednesday, while fighting in the city had largely eased, intermittent gunfire continued in the Goma’s northern areas, including Katoyi, Mabanga, Majengo, Kibwe and Turunga, where the situation “remains tense”, according to local DRC media outlets. In a post on X, Bertrand …

Chaos in Congo's Goma: Embassies of Rwanda, France & US attacked; UN says dead bodies lie in streets
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Chaos in Congo's Goma: Embassies of Rwanda, France & US attacked; UN says dead bodies lie in streets

Firstpost  

A day after the rebels marched into the lakeside city, protesters in the capital attacked a UN compound and embassies including those of Rwanda, France and the United States, expressing anger at what they said was foreign interference Protesters clash with riot police forces in front of the French Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday. Reuters Dead …

Congo tries to slow the assault of Rwanda-backed rebels amid reports of dead bodies in the streets
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Congo tries to slow the assault of Rwanda-backed rebels amid reports of dead bodies in the streets

Associated Press  

GOMA, Congo — Congolese security forces on Tuesday tried to slow the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who say they have captured Goma after entering eastern Congo’s largest city, as U.N. officials reported violence, looting and bodies in the streets. Congo’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that the protesters’ damage to …

Rwanda-DRC tension: Have rebels taken control of Congolese city? What next?
2 months ago

Rwanda-DRC tension: Have rebels taken control of Congolese city? What next?

Al Jazeera  

M23 fighters have been pressing to capture the key city of Goma for months and intensified their offensives in recent days. However, on Tuesday, DRC Rural Development Minister Muhindo Nzangi said the Congolese army was in control of 80 percent of Goma and Rwandan troops were either on the city’s outskirts or back across the border. Goma’s reported capture by …

‘Declaration of war’: M23 rebels claim seizing key DR Congo city of Goma
2 months ago

‘Declaration of war’: M23 rebels claim seizing key DR Congo city of Goma

Al Jazeera  

DRC government spokesman confirms the presence of Rwandan army in Goma and says Kinshasa is working to avoid carnage. The news comes as reports emerged that DRC and Rwandan troops have also exchanged fire on Monday along their shared border, risking a rapid escalation of the conflict amid the advance of the M23 fighters. Earlier on Monday, M23 announced the …

What to know about the escalating conflict in eastern Congo as rebels close in on Goma
2 months ago

What to know about the escalating conflict in eastern Congo as rebels close in on Goma

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Fighting has escalated sharply in recent weeks in eastern Congo, where rebels have seized key towns and are closing in on the city of Goma, the government’s last stronghold in the region bordering Rwanda. “Studies have long highlighted the smuggling of resources” from Congo into Rwanda, said Ladd Serwat, senior Africa analyst with U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location …

As Rwanda votes, tensions with neighbouring DR Congo deepen over M23
8 months, 1 week ago

As Rwanda votes, tensions with neighbouring DR Congo deepen over M23

Al Jazeera  

As Rwandans go to the polls for presidential and legislative elections, some 9.7 million people are voting in an atmosphere of peace and stability. According to the UN expert group report, 3,000 to 4,000 Rwanda Defence Force members are fighting alongside the M23 in DRC. Government spokesperson Yolanda Makolo did not outrightly deny RDF’s presence in the DRC while speaking …

Eastern DRC ‘at breaking point’ as security, humanitarian crises worsen
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Eastern DRC ‘at breaking point’ as security, humanitarian crises worsen

Al Jazeera  

UN warns of deteriorating situation as M23 rebels continue to make gains, pushing hundreds of thousands of civilians from their homes. War is on the doorstep of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Goma city and the region is at breaking point, activists and aid workers have said, as the United Nations sounds an alarm over the situation in the …

DRC Conflict: What explains the flaring eastern Congo conflict? | Explained
1 year ago

DRC Conflict: What explains the flaring eastern Congo conflict? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: Renewed clashes in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have triggered global alarm and exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region. In the subsequent days, around two million people crossed the Congolese border to settle in refugee camps in the eastern provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu as a Tutsi government gained control …

Congo trains 3,000 new army recruits amid Rwanda tensions
2 years, 4 months ago

Congo trains 3,000 new army recruits amid Rwanda tensions

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More than 3,000 new military …

Kenya deploys hundreds of troops to regional force in eastern DRC
2 years, 4 months ago

Kenya deploys hundreds of troops to regional force in eastern DRC

Al Jazeera  

President Ruto is sending more than 900 military personnel to tackle armed groups in eastern DRC. Kenyan President William Ruto says his country is sending more than 900 military personnel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to join a new regional force tasked with trying to calm deadly tensions fuelled by armed groups. Ruto on Wednesday called the mission …

Thousands join anti-Rwanda protests in DR Congo’s Goma
2 years, 4 months ago

Thousands join anti-Rwanda protests in DR Congo’s Goma

Al Jazeera  

Protesters denounce Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebels, who have made advances in the countryside around Goma. Thousands have protested in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo city of Goma, denouncing Rwanda’s alleged support of M23 rebels, as Kinshasa recalled its interim acting ambassador from Kigali in a further souring of relations. The group’s resurgence has destabilised regional …

Clashes continue in DRC despite de-escalation pact with Rwanda
2 years, 8 months ago

Clashes continue in DRC despite de-escalation pact with Rwanda

Al Jazeera  

An M23 rebel spokesman said there was an exchange of fire after Congolese troops attacked a rebel position in the east. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi met in Angola on Wednesday and agreed on a plan that included an immediate cessation of hostilities and the retreat of M23 fighters from Congo. M23 spokesman Willy Ngoma …

DR Congo welcomes deployment of regional force to fight rebels
2 years, 9 months ago

DR Congo welcomes deployment of regional force to fight rebels

Al Jazeera  

Kinshasa says it will not accept the participation of Rwandan troops in any regional force to fight the M23 rebels. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has welcomed Kenya’s proposal to deploy a regional force to fight the M23 rebel group in the east of the country, but said it won’t accept neighbour Rwanda’s participation. Rwanda denies DRC’s allegations that …

Analysis: Why are Rwanda and DRC having another diplomatic spat?
2 years, 9 months ago

Analysis: Why are Rwanda and DRC having another diplomatic spat?

Al Jazeera  

The current diplomatic spat seems to have been triggered by fighting between M23 and state forces in eastern DR Congo. Meanwhile, Kigali, which had already accused Congolese security forces of firing rockets into its territory, said two Rwandan soldiers had been kidnapped on patrol and were being held by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda – another rebel …

Several killed as protests rock Goma in eastern DRC
3 years, 3 months ago

Several killed as protests rock Goma in eastern DRC

Al Jazeera  

Clashes between protesters and police break out in capital of North Kivu province. “Two law enforcement officers were killed and two seriously injured,” General Sylvain Ekenge, a spokesman for the military governor of North Kivu province, told reporters. Many in Goma are also fed up with a surge in attacks by various armed groups in North Kivu and Ituri provinces …

UN urges leaders in central Africa to help end conflicts
3 years, 5 months ago

UN urges leaders in central Africa to help end conflicts

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council urged leaders in central Africa’s Great Lakes region Wednesday to seize the momentum of recent positive political developments to make progress toward ending conflicts and the illegal exploitation of gold and other natural resources in eastern Congo. Raychelle Omamo, Kenya’s Cabinet secretary for foreign affairs who chaired the council meeting, said that in …

Congo: African Union Council contemplates neutral force
12 years, 4 months ago

Congo: African Union Council contemplates neutral force

The Hindu  

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union contemplated an “International Neutral Force” in the troubled Democratic Republic of Congo and asked for a draft Concept of Operations for its deployment in collaboration with the existing United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in DRC, one of the most expensive peacekeeping forces in the world. On November 20, 2012, the M23 …

In pictures: Defending Goma
12 years, 7 months ago

In pictures: Defending Goma

Al Jazeera  

Over the past two weeks, the threat of an attack on Goma – the provincial capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s restive North Kivu province – by M23 rebels has loomed. The United Nations and the Congolese government army have deployed tanks and other heavy weaponry around the city in a coordinated effort to repel any possible attack. The …

The plot thickens
14 years, 7 months ago

The plot thickens

The Hindu  

The attempt on the life of a former army chief points to a return of the ethnic strife that the authoritarian rule of Paul Kagame ended in 1994. THE assassination attempt on the former army chief of Rwanda, Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, who was until recently the country's envoy to India, has brought into international focus again the authoritarian rule of …

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