The United Nations Security Council’s Peace and Security Commission has urged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to prioritize diplomatic channels to resolve escalating tensions between the two central African nations.
The Commission’s statement, released late Friday, comes amidst a flurry of accusations and border skirmishes in recent weeks. The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, which has made significant territorial gains in the DRC’s mineral-rich North Kivu province. Rwanda vehemently denies the claims, accusing the DRC in turn of stoking ethnic tensions and failing to address the root causes of the conflict.
“The current situation is incredibly concerning,” remarked Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. “We urge both parties to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue over confrontation. The people of the DRC and Rwanda have endured far too much suffering.”
The statement echoed similar calls from the African Union and regional leaders. “Military solutions will only worsen the humanitarian crisis in the region,” cautioned Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. “We need a return to diplomatic channels and a commitment to a peaceful resolution.” Analysts warn that the escalating tensions risk reigniting the brutal wars that plagued the Great Lakes region in the late 1990s. The DRC accuses Rwanda of playing a significant role in the earlier conflicts, a charge Rwanda refutes.
“The history between these two nations is complex and deeply painful,” said Dr. Nyasha Kadungure, a senior researcher at the Johannesburg Institute for African Studies. “It’s crucial that both governments prioritize peace and stability over past grievances. Open communication and a commitment to regional security are essential to de-escalate the situation.”
The Peace and Security Commission has called for an emergency meeting of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to facilitate dialogue between the DRC and Rwanda. The ICGLR, a regional bloc with a mandate to promote peace and security, has previously played a key role in mediating conflicts in the region. Whether diplomacy can prevail in the face of heightened tensions remains to be seen. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the DRC and Rwanda choose the path of dialogue or descent into further conflict.
