Mon. Feb 17th, 2025

Congo rebels intend to advance to Kinshasa and the president calls for mobilization news


The March 23 Movement “M23”, the Congolese -backed from Rwanda -who seized the largest city in the eastern Democratic Congo -announced on Thursday their intention to transfer their fighting to the capital Kinshasa, while the Congo President called for a huge military mobilization to resist the rebellion, and his defense minister rejected calls to Dialogue.

In a media briefing yesterday, the M23 rebels sought to confirm their control over the eastern city of Guma and its surrounding areas in the neighboring South Kivu Governorate, who said they were ready for dialogue with the government, which was proposed by the regional bloc in East Africa, in which Rwanda is a member.

“Our goal is to reach Kinshasa, seize power and leadership of the country,” said Cornelli Nanga – one of the political leaders of the rebel group.

But he did not mention how the rebels plan to advance towards the capital, which is more than 1500 km.

We are displaced by Goma carrying their available belongings (Reuters)

Rejection

In a video message yesterday, Congo Defense Secretary Jay Kabumbo Moyydamvita said that he immediately stopped any dialogue with the rebels.

“We will remain here in the Congo and fight, if we cannot survive here, let us grow here,” added Mouadeamvita – a ally close to the Congo President Felix Chesicidy.

Earlier, yesterday, Thursday, Chesikidi refused to acknowledge the defeat, and warned of the dangers of an escalation of “non -calculated consequences” in the region, and stressed that “a firm and coordinated response is taking place against these terrorists and the bodies that sponsor them”, praising the Congolese armed forces despite their wide retreat in front of the progress of elements M23.

Thieves are looting a facility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Goma (European)

UN concern

In light of this atmosphere, the United Nations expressed its “great concern” regarding the “volatile” situation in the South Kevo region, which is east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially regarding the “reliable” information that the M -23 rebels are advancing towards Bocafo after they took control of Guma The capital of the region.

“We are very concerned about the situation in the south of Kivu, which is still very volatile, with reliable information about rapid progress of the” M23 “movement towards Boukavo,” said UN spokesman Stephen Dujarric yesterday.

Dujarric added that the United Nations also has information stating “movements of the Rwandan army across the border in this direction.”

The control of the Rwandan army movement on Guma sparked a few weeks that take several weeks to put an end to the battles and withdraw the Rwandan forces from the United States and France to China, through the United Nations, the European Union and Angola.

The UN Security Council called on the rebels to stop the attack, while the eight East African Group countries called – during an emergency summit – to an immediate ceasefire, and Kinshasa called for negotiations with the rebels.

French position

France is seeking to prevent further escalation, and French Foreign Minister Jean -Noel Barrow held a diplomatic visit to the Republic of the Congo and Rwanda after the rebels’ progress.

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemeen said that Minister Barrow’s mission came after President Emmanuel Macron spoke to his Congolese counterpart Felix Chisicidy and Rwandan Paul Kagame.

He added that Barrow’s mission aims to support the current mediation efforts in Angola and Kenya.

The M23 rebels seized the city of Guma, the capital of the northern Kivu region – with a population of two million people – last Monday, and they strengthened their grip and patrolled on the border with Rwanda.

They advanced the day before yesterday, and they took control of more towns, including Kalongo and Mocheenga, according to the Associated Press.

The events of this week, East Congo, are the most dangerous escalation in the struggle for decades in the region since 2012.

The Congo, the United Nations, the United States, and other Western forces accuse the Rwanda forces of supporting the M23 rebels, which it has repeatedly denied.

(Tagstotranslate) News (T) Africa (T) Congo (Zaire)


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