More than 7,000 people have lost their lives this year as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continue to seize vast areas of mineral-rich eastern Congo, Congo’s Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka told the U.N.
Human Rights Council on Monday. The situation has become increasingly dire, both in terms of security and humanitarian impact.
In recent weeks, the conflict has escalated, with the rebels capturing key cities such as Goma in January and Bukavu this month. M23 remains the most formidable armed group among the many fighting for control in eastern Congo, a region with trillions of dollars in untapped mineral resources crucial to global technology.
The European Union (EU) has responded by suspending defense consultations with Rwanda and announcing a review of its memorandum of understanding on critical raw materials. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that Congo’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The agreement, signed last year, aimed to build sustainable supply chains for key minerals such as tin, tungsten, gold, niobium, lithium, and rare earth elements.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused Rwanda of exploiting its mineral wealth, a concern echoed by the United States, which recently called for an immediate halt to sourcing minerals from M23-controlled areas. Rwanda has yet to respond to these developments, which could have significant economic consequences.
The United Nations has warned that the escalating violence threatens regional stability, adding to decades of unrest that have already displaced millions. M23 rebels, with an estimated 4,000 Rwandan troops, continue to advance despite calls for a ceasefire. They have declared intentions to overhaul governance and security in captured areas, while also threatening the city of Uriva, where gunfire was reported over the weekend.
M23 claims its fight is to protect ethnic Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan descent from discrimination and aims to transform Congo into a modern state. However, analysts argue these justifications serve as a cover for Rwanda’s strategic interests in the region.
Meanwhile, reports from Goma suggest that M23’s intelligence forces are targeting former Congolese soldiers and alleged criminals, often leading to mistaken identities. Witnesses claim 11 young men were killed on Sunday while waiting for a weightlifting class, after being falsely accused of theft.
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