The simmering conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces renewed calls for a peaceful resolution. During a recent UN Security Council meeting, Bintou Keita, head of the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, emphasized the need for political solutions.
Keita commended ongoing mediation efforts by Angolan President João Lourenço and the upcoming African Union meeting to address the crisis. These efforts complement local initiatives aimed at disarming armed groups. MONUSCO remains committed to supporting disarmament and security sector reforms in the region.
However, a recent UN report by the Group of Experts has thrown a wrench into the works. The report accuses Uganda of supporting the M23 rebel group, raising fears of a wider conflict. Uganda vehemently denies these claims, asserting close cooperation with the DRC government.
This accusation adds another layer of complexity to the situation, considering Rwanda’s long-standing denials of backing the M23. Both Rwanda and Uganda have been accused of fueling the conflict in resource-rich eastern DRC. Both countries deny the allegations.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as the M23 insurgency gains ground. While some positive steps were taken earlier this year with talks between the DRC and Rwanda, the recent developments highlight the urgent need for a peaceful resolution that addresses all underlying issues.
