Conflict in the DR Congo

[VorZakone]

Didn't find a recent thread on Congo so figured I'd make one.

Rwandan army ‘ready to invade DRC’ and help rebels seize city

Large numbers of troops from Rwanda have been pouring across the border into the Democratic Republic of the Congo to help rebels seize the regional capital of Goma before an emergency UN meeting about the crisis takes place on Monday, intelligence officials have warned.

Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) soldiers are believed to have secretly crossed into the eastern DRC over the past few days to assist a lightning offensive by the M23 militia.

https://www.theguardian.com/global-...help-rebels-seize-city?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

 

[VorZakone]

 

[VorZakone]

 

[TwoSheds]

Sounds complicated, hopefully it's resolved quickly.

 

[VorZakone]

DR Congo severs ties with Rwanda as M23 rebel group closes in on Goma

The Democratic Republic of the Congo cut off diplomatic ties with Rwanda on Sunday as the rebel group M23, believed to be backed by Kigali, closed in on the eastern city of Goma.

The M23 rebel group has made significant territorial gains along the border with Rwanda in recent weeks, closing in on Goma, the provincial capital of around 2 million people and a regional hub for security and humanitarian efforts.

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/...h-rwanda-as-m23-rebel-group-closes-in-on-goma

 

[Cloud7]

Is there a summary available of what's led to this?

 

[Superden]

Ridiculous that a glorified dictator / warlord like Kagame has such backing from the likes of the UK and the US. The suffering due to all these power plays over land and minerals is off the charts.

 

[VorZakone]

 

[Frosty]

Is there a summary available of what's led to this?

Not really.

I would start here though if you want to learn more: https://www.cfr.org/book/lumumba-plot.

This has been the result of the last 60 years of machinations in a nominally independent nation.

 

[RedTiger]

Goma is one of those random world cities I've always wanted to visit, such a shame about current events. M23 and Rwanda have been in this position before and they were forced back by international pressure, I don't know how much power France, US or EU have with the parties right now but it would be funny if China was the one to push for a pulling back of forces.