The African Union (AU) has expresses concern over the latest offensive launched by the M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the capture of the capital, Goma, which resulted in the death and casualties amongst civilians and peacekeepers, as well as worsening an already fragile security and humanitarian situation in the region.
On Monday, M23 fighters marched into Goma in the worst escalation since 2012. Goma is a major hub for people displaced by fighting elsewhere in eastern Congo and aid groups seeking to assist them. The fighting has sent thousands of people streaming out of the city, but is also threatening the hope for peace in the region which has been ravaged by conflicts for decades.
In the statement, the continental bloc also expressed grave concern over the increased tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, and encouraged the leadership in both countries to prioritize peaceful means of addressing the challenges between them. The unrest has pitted South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa against Rwanda’s Paul Kagame throwing the two nations into a diplomatic row.
“The AU strongly condemns the heinous attacks by the M23, which resulted in the loss of lives, injuries, and displacement, especially women and children, and warns that those concerned will be held accountable for their actions; AU strongly condemns the activities of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which have worsened the insecurity and suffering of the population in eastern DRC” part of the statement reads.
The AU statement demands the M23, ADF and FDLR, other armed and terrorist groups operating in eastern DRC to immediately and unconditionally cease their attacks and permanently disband and lay down their arms; calls for an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of M23 from Minova, Sake, and Goma, and other occupied areas in the DRC, and all other foreign armed and terrorist groups operating in the DRC, in line with the Communiqué of the Mini-Summit of Luanda of 23 November 2022, while
emphasizing the need for respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The latest escalation is confirmed to have resulted in death of 13 South African peacekeepers under SADC mission and other three UN peacekeepers. The AU notes with concern the deterioration of the dire humanitarian situation in eastern DRC and demands rapid, unimpeded, and safe humanitarian access while appealing to the international
community, particularly the UN humanitarian agencies, to enhance their efforts in the mobilization of
resources and appeals to international partners to upscale humanitarian assistance in Goma and surrounding areas, ensuring access to food, medical supplies, and shelter, in particular to women, children, the elderly and people living with disabilities.
AU lauded the gallantry of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) troops; expressing condolences to the families and governments of the deceased; also condolences to South Africa, Malawi, United Republic of Tanzania and Uruguay, for the loss of their troops.
In the three-page document, AU calls for respect and adherence to International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law, the protection of civilians, internally displaced people (IDP) camps, and medical sites, and the protection of peacekeepers, noting that attacks against civilians and peacekeepers constitute war crimes.
“AU Underscores the need to address the structural root causes and drivers of the conflict in eastern DRC, including through supporting socio-economic empowerment programs aimed at economically empowering the population, especially the women and youth. The body mandates the AU Commission to immediately deploy a fact-finding mission on the ongoing crisis in eastern DRC within the context of the quadripartite framework and report back to the Council soonest; Proposes the holding of the PSC Meeting on the situation in eastern DRC at the Head of State and Government level, on the margins of the upcoming AU Assembly in February 2025.
