The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced the closure of its embassy in Rwanda and the recall of its ambassador within 48 hours, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations amid the ongoing insurgency in North Kivu province. This move comes as the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers stationed in Goma, demanding they lay down their arms.
In a statement released on Saturday night, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused FARDC of worsening the social and humanitarian crisis in Goma and its surrounding areas. He claimed that the presence of FARDC has resulted in massive displacement, increased suffering, and human rights violations. Kanyuka stated that if FARDC complies with the ultimatum, M23 will have no further grievances against them.
The ongoing fighting, which is taking place approximately 20 kilometers from Goma, has caused significant disruption, displacing locals, paralyzing businesses, and halting essential services. The region is also experiencing power outages after the conflict damaged power lines supplying the city.
The situation has further deteriorated following the death of Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, the military governor of North Kivu, who was shot and killed on the frontline on Thursday. Additionally, between Friday and Saturday, nine South African soldiers lost their lives while battling the rebels.
Kanyuka called on stakeholders involved in critical sectors such as water and electricity to urgently deploy their expertise and resources to address the crisis. He emphasized the need to alleviate the hardships faced by civilians due to what he described as poor governance by the Kinshasa regime. He stressed that access to basic services like water and electricity is a fundamental human right and urged relevant institutions to act swiftly to restore normalcy.
Kanyuka also reiterated M23’s demand for FARDC soldiers in Goma and its surroundings to lay down their weapons within 48 hours. He emphasized that Goma should never be used as a battlefield and warned that M23 would not tolerate any armed group engaging in conflict against civilians.
In response, Lt-Col Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko, the army spokesman for North Kivu, dismissed M23’s demands, urging the public not to be swayed by what he described as panic-inducing messages from the rebels. He called on soldiers to remain steadfast and motivated in defending the territorial integrity of the DRC, particularly the city of Goma, framing the conflict as a matter of life or death.
The escalating tensions and humanitarian crisis in the region highlight the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence and instability.