South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have called for an urgent ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks to address the escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where intense clashes continue between government forces and rebel groups. The two leaders discussed the deteriorating situation in the DRC during a phone conversation, with both leaders stressing the critical need for dialogue to end the ongoing bloodshed.
According to a statement released by the South African presidency on Tuesday, the two leaders expressed grave concern over the worsening conflict, which has seen the deaths and injuries of several peacekeepers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission. The attack occurred in Goma, a city in eastern DRC, on January 22, where the M23 armed group, which has been involved in the conflict for months, targeted the peacekeeping forces. The attack is seen as a clear violation of a ceasefire agreement brokered by Angola in July 2022.
President Ramaphosa and President Kagame highlighted that the recent escalation underscores the urgency of de-escalating tensions and resuming peace talks among all parties involved. “The importance of a ceasefire and immediate dialogue cannot be overstated, as the region continues to face significant humanitarian and security challenges,” said the South African presidency in its statement.
The DRC and Rwanda have long been at odds over the presence of M23 militants in eastern Congo. While the DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebel group, Rwanda denies any involvement. The M23 rebels, who claim to be defending the rights of the Tutsi ethnic minority, have engaged in heavy fighting in the region, further complicating an already fragile situation.
At the heart of the conflict is the longstanding tension between the DRC and Rwanda, with both countries accusing each other of cross-border shelling. The two nations attempted to address these tensions at a summit in Angola in July 2022, where they agreed on a roadmap for peace. The agreement included provisions for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the unconditional withdrawal of M23 militants from occupied territories in the DRC. However, the M23 group has refused to comply with the terms of the roadmap, citing concerns over their safety and the lack of guarantees from the DRC government.
Despite these setbacks, President Ramaphosa and President Kagame expressed hope that renewed diplomatic efforts could help end the violence. The South African presidency emphasized the need for both leaders to work together to foster peace in the region, calling on the international community to support their efforts.
As the conflict continues to worsen, both the South African and Rwandan presidents reiterated their commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis, stressing the importance of cooperation between African nations to ensure stability in the region.
