The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has severed all diplomatic ties with Rwanda, escalating tensions amid intensified fighting with rebels that Rwanda is accused of supporting in the mineral-rich eastern Congo. Meanwhile, On Sunday night, the M23 group announced the suspension of all activities on Lake Kivu within the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The group also declared that the 48-hour ultimatum it had issued to FARDC soldiers to surrender had expired. It called on government forces to hand over all their weapons to MONUSCO and assemble at Stade de l’Unité by 9:00 AM.The group further stated that its next objective is to take full control of the city of Goma.
The three-year insurgency by the M23 rebel group has surged since January, with the rebels capturing more territory than ever before. This escalation prompted warnings from the United Nations about the risk of a broader regional conflict. On Saturday, DRC and its allies claimed they had repelled M23 fighters advancing towards Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Heavy bombardments were heard near the city early that morning, adding to the tension.
In a decisive move, the DRC’s foreign ministry issued a letter to Rwanda on January 24, recalling its diplomats and ordering Rwandan authorities to suspend all diplomatic and consular operations in Kinshasa within 48 hours. A ministry representative described the letter as “the most severe form of diplomatic breakdown.”
Amid growing international concern, the UN Security Council is set to convene on Sunday to address the crisis, moving up its planned meeting initially scheduled for Monday. This development underscores the urgency of the situation as the region teeters on the brink of wider conflict.
