President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has pledged a strong military response to M23 rebels, accusing Rwanda of backing them and condemning global inaction. He called for national resilience and a humanitarian plan for the displaced.
The president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi, has announced a forceful response from the Congolese army to the recent armed assaults by M23 rebels, accusing Rwanda of backing the insurgents and condemning both the international and African communities for their failure to address the growing tensions along the border.
In a televised address late Wednesday, Tshisekedi described the security situation in eastern Congo as deteriorating at an unprecedented rate, claiming that Rwanda's support for the M23 rebels had escalated into acts of terrorism that have caused widespread devastation among local populations.
On Monday, the M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, claimed control of the city of Goma. However, local residents have stated that control of the strategic city remains divided between the rebels and the Congolese army. At least 25 people were killed in Goma, nine in Rwanda, with hundreds more injured in the ongoing conflict. Additionally, the recent clashes resulted in the deaths of 17 peacekeepers, including 13 South Africans, three Malawians, and one whose nationality remains unidentified.
Tshisekedi assured the nation that a comprehensive and coordinated military response against the rebels and their sponsors is underway. He further emphasised that the Congolese army is fully mobilised and committed to defending the country's sovereignty at all costs. He condemned Rwanda for its actions, accusing it of brazenly violating the principles of the United Nations Charter and regional agreements.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has consistently denied any involvement in supporting the rebels. However, Tshisekedi argued that Rwanda's actions, which are taking place with apparent impunity, disregard international laws and the values upheld by international institutions.
The Congolese president sharply criticised Rwanda's provocations, asserting that they undermine both Congolese sovereignty and regional stability. He labelled the actions as "barbaric" and a direct affront to the dignity and history of the Congolese people.
Tshisekedi also voiced his dissatisfaction with the silence and lack of action from both the United Nations and the African Union in response to the violence perpetrated by Rwanda and its allies in Congo, suggesting that this inaction borders on complicity. Despite this, he reiterated his openness to dialogue, although he remains prepared to take all necessary measures to defend Congo's territorial integrity.
In light of the ongoing conflict, Tshisekedi called on his citizens to remain resilient, urging them to mobilise and resist the crisis. He has also directed the government to establish an emergency humanitarian plan to assist those displaced by the violence.
The US will host the official signing of a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, the State Department announced Friday.
A mine collapse in rebel-held eastern DR Congo has left at least 12 people dead, with others managing to escape. The cause of the disaster remains unknown.
A third contingent of South African peacekeepers deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of a regional stabilization mission returned home Monday, landing at Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein.
Over 100 people have died after severe flooding struck a village near Lake Tanganyika in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exacerbating the region's ongoing challenges.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed an anthrax outbreak in the eastern North Kivu Province, resulting in one death, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.
UFC Fight Night in Baku is underway at Baku Crystal Hall, with the main card scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg in Minsk on Saturday to discuss Belarus–U.S. ties and regional security.
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and China Eximbank Chairman Chen Huaiyu signed a $500 million loan agreement for the telecom sector on June 21.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has outlined an ambitious vision for human settlements in space by 2040, with autonomous “space oases” on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The world is facing a health financing emergency as global health investment risks falling to its lowest level in a decade, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
UFC Fight Night in Baku is underway at Baku Crystal Hall, with the main card scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg in Minsk on Saturday to discuss Belarus–U.S. ties and regional security.
Orkhan Nazarli, Head of Azerbaijan’s State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy, held separate meetings with senior tax officials from Latvia and Montenegro during the 29th General Assembly of the Intra-European Organization of Tax Administrations (IOTA) in Baku.
The OIC's 51st ministerial session convenes in Istanbul to tackle pressing global and regional issues.
Japan has reportedly cancelled a planned high-level security meeting with the United States after Washington pressed Tokyo to increase its defense spending, according to the Financial Times.
UFC Fight Night in Baku is underway at Baku Crystal Hall, with the main card scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg in Minsk on Saturday to discuss Belarus–U.S. ties and regional security.
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and China Eximbank Chairman Chen Huaiyu signed a $500 million loan agreement for the telecom sector on June 21.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has outlined an ambitious vision for human settlements in space by 2040, with autonomous “space oases” on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The world is facing a health financing emergency as global health investment risks falling to its lowest level in a decade, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment