In an effort to rejuvenate peace talks surrounding the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, Southern and Eastern African countries have expanded their team of former heads of state overseeing the mediation process.
The move follows a series of failed negotiations, with the latest setback occurring on Monday when M23 rebels reneged on a pledge to withdraw from the strategically important town of Walikale. The rebels accused Congo's army of continuing offensive operations in the area despite commitments to halt them.
The conflict, which has its roots in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and competition over mineral resources, has intensified since M23 launched a renewed offensive in January. The group has seized control of two of eastern Congo's largest cities, resulting in thousands of deaths and raising concerns about the potential for a wider regional war.
During a virtual summit on Monday, key political blocs in Southern and Eastern Africa appointed five former heads of state to help facilitate peace efforts. The appointed leaders include Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, South Africa’s Kgalema Motlanthe, Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, and Central African Republic’s Catherine Samba Panza. The new panel is expected to appoint a mediator to replace Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who withdrew from the role earlier this week after years of unsuccessful attempts to ease tensions between Congo and Rwanda.
The situation has also raised tensions regionally. Rwanda, which has faced sanctions from Western countries for allegedly supporting M23 with arms and troops, has reiterated that it is acting in self-defense against Congo's army and militias hostile to Kigali. Meanwhile, Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame held their first direct talks last week in Qatar, where both leaders expressed support for an immediate ceasefire. However, M23 dismissed the ceasefire calls, stating that the conflict could only be resolved through negotiations between the rebels and the government in Kinshasa.
The conflict, involving the armies of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi, has already threatened to expand beyond Congo's borders. Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye, whose troops have supported Congo’s army against M23, warned that Rwanda could be planning to attack Burundi. His comments, made in a recent interview with the BBC, expressed concerns about the rising toll on civilians. However, Rwanda’s government has responded, stating that the two countries have been in talks to secure their shared borders.
The growing complexity of the situation underscores the urgent need for a political solution that addresses the security concerns of all parties involved. The expanded mediation team hopes to offer a new approach to what has become a protracted and deadly conflict, but the road to peace remains fraught with challenges.
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have announced plans to reposition their forces from the town of Walikale, which they seized earlier this week, in an effort to support broader initiatives aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rebel leader Corneille Nangaa rejects a ceasefire call in east Congo, vowing to fight until their cause is heard. He condemns a proposed U.S. minerals-for-security deal as "treachery" while M23 fighters advance deeper into Congolese territory, seizing strategic towns.
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels withdrew from peace talks with Congo after EU sanctions on their leaders. With major battlefield wins, they demand more concessions. A surprise ceasefire call from Congo and Rwanda’s presidents may not impact the conflict, as mistrust stalls multiple peace efforts.
The United States is open to exploring a critical minerals partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo, the State Department said on Sunday, as Kinshasa weighs new investment ties. The talks come as Congo faces ongoing conflict with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
At least 15 people have died as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea’s southeastern region, Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to suspend attacks on key energy infrastructure for 30 days, according to a statement published by the Kremlin on Tuesday.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has instructed its employees to label documents related to the agency’s review of grants and contracts under the controversial DOGE initiative with "legal privilege," in a bid to prevent them from being disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
OpenAI has unveiled significant updates to its Advanced Voice Mode feature for ChatGPT, making its AI voice assistant more personable and responsive to user needs.
Slovakia has declared an emergency situation following the discovery of foot-and-mouth disease on three farms in the southern part of the country, the government announced on Tuesday.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Thursday that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk for his country, but emphasized the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on American defense systems. His comments come amid growing discussions within Europe.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams completed an unexpectedly long 286-day mission on the ISS, returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule after delays caused by technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.
Mexican forces have dismantled a massive meth lab in Zacatecas, dealing a blow to a Sinaloa Cartel faction.
Serbia’s parliament has officially accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, setting a 30-day deadline for the formation of a new government or the calling of snap elections.
A devastating overnight drone attack on Kyiv, attributed to Russian forces, resulted in the deaths of three people, including a five-year-old child, and left ten others injured.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to suspend attacks on key energy infrastructure for 30 days, according to a statement published by the Kremlin on Tuesday.
OpenAI has unveiled significant updates to its Advanced Voice Mode feature for ChatGPT, making its AI voice assistant more personable and responsive to user needs.
Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, criticized the United States for placing "unacceptable pressure" on Greenland, ahead of a high-profile U.S. delegation’s visit to the semi-autonomous Danish territory this week.
Pope Francis' health was so precarious during his recent 38-day hospital stay that his doctors considered halting treatment at one point, allowing him to pass away peacefully, according to the head of his medical team.
As famine continues to ravage parts of Sudan, humanitarian workers report that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), engaged in an ongoing conflict with the Sudanese army, are tightening their grip on relief supplies.
At least 15 people have died as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea’s southeastern region, Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to suspend attacks on key energy infrastructure for 30 days, according to a statement published by the Kremlin on Tuesday.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has instructed its employees to label documents related to the agency’s review of grants and contracts under the controversial DOGE initiative with "legal privilege," in a bid to prevent them from being disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
OpenAI has unveiled significant updates to its Advanced Voice Mode feature for ChatGPT, making its AI voice assistant more personable and responsive to user needs.
Slovakia has declared an emergency situation following the discovery of foot-and-mouth disease on three farms in the southern part of the country, the government announced on Tuesday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment