Central African leaders have issued a firm demand for the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group to halt its offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while also calling for urgent humanitarian assistance to the conflict-ravaged region.
“We strongly condemn the M23 armed group supported by Rwanda and call upon them to immediately end their offensive,” declared representatives of the 11-nation Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in a statement following an emergency meeting of the bloc’s peace and security council.
“We call for the immediate withdrawal of the Rwandan armed forces from Congolese territory,” the heads of state and government officials added after their gathering in Equatorial Guinea.
Acknowledging the dire humanitarian situation, the leaders urged the swift establishment of an aid corridor to provide relief to civilians caught in the escalating violence. The region has long suffered from conflict, and the latest M23 offensive has only deepened the crisis.
In a significant escalation last week, M23 fighters, backed by Rwandan troops, seized control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu—an area rich in minerals but plagued by instability for over 30 years. The rebels have since advanced towards South Kivu, heightening concerns of further violence.
According to the UN human rights chief, at least 3,000 people have been confirmed dead, with 2,880 others injured since M23 forces entered Goma on January 26. However, the final toll is expected to be much higher.
Eastern DRC is home to vast deposits of gold and other valuable resources, including coltan—a crucial component in manufacturing mobile phones and laptops.
Since its resurgence in late 2021, M23’s military campaign has repeatedly overwhelmed the DRC’s national army, which has long struggled with inadequate training and corruption, leading to several retreats.
The escalation has sparked fears of a broader regional conflict, as multiple nations—including South Africa, Burundi, and Malawi—have deployed forces in support of the Congolese government.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who has denied backing the M23, and his Congolese counterpart, Félix Tshisekedi, are set to attend a regional crisis summit in Tanzania on Saturday.
The summit will convene leaders from the eight-member East African Community and the 16-nation Southern African Development Community in a bid to address the deteriorating situation.
