The crisis in eastern DRC: an embarrassment to the international community

Joint Lunch Project, New York, Beyond 77^e The United Nations General Assembly was surrounded by the greatest views of Rwandan Presidents Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Presidents Felix Shisekedi. At the head of this initiative, which was announced at the last moment, Emmanuel Macron, the (alternating) president of the UN Security Council, sent his Sherpas, without publicity, to Kinsha and Kigali shortly before the UN General Assembly. In the end, the press release issued by Elysee at the end of the meeting shows a great diplomatic measure. A reflection of the complexity of the case, which for thirty years organized the two Central African countries through armed groups.

This crisis, like previous ones, is embarrassing for the international community, which is powerless to end the violence that has displaced more than six million Congolese over the years, according to the UNHCR. “This is not revolutionary, but unification [les présidents Kagame et Tshisekedi] It is a step forward in itself.Considers the former senior official of the United Nations, which shows that the mediators are leaning towards a slightly positive sign.

Non-state armed groups abound in Congo’s three eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, which border Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, respectively. According to the Congo Research Group (CGR), an independent study group, there are at least 120 groups. But it is the rise in violent activities of the March 23 Movement (M23) since November 2021 that is at the heart of the crisis between the two neighbors.

“strong evidence”

Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of supporting and equipping the movement, which arose out of another insurgency active until 2014, which was also close to Kigali at the time. In a report that must remain confidential but was leaked in early August, the United Nations Panel of Experts on the DRC said that “Gathered strong evidence of a presence in the Rutshuru region [Nord-Kivu] Members of the Rwanda Defense Forces (FRD, Rwandan Army), about the conduct of their military operations and their support for M23/ARC operations”.

On the rostrum of the United Nations, on September 20, Felix Tsisekedi condemned, in a very insulting speech against the certain apathy of his neighbor, but also of the international community,“attack” Military “direct” and “occupation” Rwanda to the east of his country. He called the international community Increase pressure on Rwanda and be more assertive. to explain this “This crisis is mainly due to the greed fueled by the fabulous natural wealth and power ambitions of some of our neighbors.. The conclusion of the investigation conducted by the non-governmental organization Global Witness found that in April “90% of the amount of coltan. [principale source du tantale], tin and tungsten, (…) The contraband exported by Rwanda is part of the contraband from the DRC..