M23 rebels storm security zone in African country | Political News
M23 rebels stormed the Democratic Republic of Congo’s demilitarized security zone in a disturbing development, officers warned.
Felix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accused Rwanda of violating a newly signed U.S.-brokered peace deal, as the Kigali-backed M23 armed group made a fast advance on the city of Uvira, the last major city middle in South Kivu province yet to fall to the group, close to the border with Burundi.
At least 74 people have been killed, with 83 wounded, as a consequence of current clashes in jap Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a report by the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in the country on Monday.
Tshisekedi told lawmakers that the Rwandan forces had attacked a number of places in South Kivu province since he and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, signed a peace accord in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 4.
“Despite our good faith and the recently ratified agreement, it is clear that Rwanda is already violating its commitments,” Tshisekedi alleged. He also claimed that the Rwandan military had carried out and supported assaults with heavy weaponry “on the very day after the signing.”
New data showed that the clashes between Congolese forces and M23 rebels between Dec. 2 and 7 displaced more than 200,000 people since Dec. 2, with thousands more crossing the border into neighboring countries, including Burundi and Rwanda.
The clashes involved heavy weapons and shelling in populated areas of the territories of Uvira, Walungu, Mwenga, Shabunda, Kabare, Fizi, and Kalehe in South Kivu province.
Bruno Lemarquis, the U.N.’s humanitarian coordinator in Congo, called for the immediate protection of civilian populations.
“I am deeply saddened by the devastating impact of this fighting on civilian populations. It is imperative to prevent further casualties from being added to the already tragic toll. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas and attacks on civilian infrastructure such as schools result in unacceptable loss of life and must stop immediately. Civilians and civilian infrastructure are not targets,” he said.
Rwanda denies backing M23, a rebel group, but says it faces a threat from militant groups with links to the 1994 Rwandan genocide present in eastern DRC.
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President Donald Trump hailed Thursday’s signing of the accord as a new chapter for the region.
“It is an amazing day: Great day for Africa, great day for the world and for these two countries,” Trump said at the time.
As fighting continued after the accord, the U.S. Department said it was “deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in eastern DRC.”
“Rwanda, which continues to present help to M23, must forestall additional escalation,” a spokesperson said.
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