Conflict in the Congo: millions of refugees and geopolitical tensions!

Conflict in the Congo: millions of refugees and geopolitical tensions!

Goma, Demokratische Republik Kongo - In the northeast of the Congo, the conflict is bubbling: Violent fights between the Congolese army and the rebel group M23 have led to the expulsion of over 1.9 million people. The M23 has taken significant areas in the province of Nordkivu, including the strategically important city of Goma. According to DW it is assumed that Rwanda supports the M23, which leads to serious tensions between the two countries. Rwanda demands direct negotiations between the Congo and the rebels, while Kinshasa rejects this. The Congo accuses Rwanda of having sent troops into conflict to support the M23, which is vehemently contested by Rwanda.

rwanda’s influence and the dangers of power struggles

The current Situation is a dangerous revival of old conflicts in the region, which demanded many victims between 1996 and 2003 with two wars. According to experts, the M23, which is considered the protection of the interests of the Congolese Tutsi, has between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandic soldiers in their ranks. This escalation could prove to be a serious threat to the stability of the region. UNICEF warned that urgent action is necessary to protect the civilian population, especially children, from violence, such as wien.at reported.

Due to the new fights, the M23 not only achieved control over strategically important areas, but also fueled fear of a larger regional conflict. Rwanda's military presence is not only seen as a defense measure against the FDLR, a rebel group with historical connections to the genocide of 1994, but also as part of a sophisticated geopolitical game. This complex situation could become even more complicated with the early end of the UN peace mission in the east of the Congo and the plan for the exchange through multinational troops.