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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to be respected and a regional war to be avoided during the African Union summit on Saturday. His comments came after the alleged Rwandan-backed M23 fighters seized a second key city in the DRC, intensifying fears of further escalation.
The conflict, which has seen M23 fighters advance from North Kivu to South Kivu, dominated the summit, held in Addis Ababa. Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended, but DRC President Felix Tshisekedi was notably absent, as M23 rebels continued their offensive through his country’s territory.
After taking Goma last month, the M23 fighters captured an airport in South Kivu before advancing into Bukavu on Friday, overwhelming security forces and causing widespread alarm. Guterres, while not naming Rwanda directly, emphasised the need to prevent regional escalation and urged for immediate dialogue. He stressed that the DRC’s sovereignty must be respected.
The European Union expressed urgent concern, pledging to consider all options in response to the DRC’s territorial violations. The AU has faced criticism for its slow response, with leaders calling for an immediate ceasefire. Despite these calls, fighting erupted again earlier this week.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, hosting the summit, highlighted the importance of diplomacy and peacebuilding in resolving the conflict. The AU’s Peace and Security Council has been engaged in urgent discussions, though neither Kagame nor Tshisekedi attended the session.
As fighting continues in eastern DRC, Tshisekedi condemned Rwanda’s actions, urging nations to take action against Kigali’s “expansionist ambitions.” Rwanda has denied backing the M23 but claims it is acting to protect itself from extremist groups operating in the DRC’s eastern provinces. DR Congo accuses Rwanda of exploiting the region’s mineral wealth.
The summit comes at a time when Africa is grappling with other crises, including the conflict in Sudan. Leaders have also called for reparations for historical abuses by colonial powers, a topic gaining traction in international discourse.
Rwanda’s strategy in the DRC has gained support from certain African leaders, but many others, particularly in the DRC, are urging a more decisive intervention. As the AU faces challenges of its own, there are concerns over its effectiveness in addressing such conflicts.
