By CHIMPREPORTS
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi has announced plans to seek parliamentary authorization to declare war on Rwanda, citing heightened tensions between the two countries. During a meeting in Kinshasa, Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels and destabilizing eastern Congo, a charge Rwanda denies. The DRC, in turn, is accused by Kigali of arming the genocidal militia group FDLR to terrorize Tutsi communities in North Kivu and launch attacks inside Rwanda.
Tshisekedi’s threat against Rwanda comes amid his electoral campaign and accusations against President Kagame for destabilizing the DRC. The deteriorating relations between the two nations raise concerns of a potential military confrontation, as warned by Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to DRC.
Despite recent U.S.-brokered agreements for the withdrawal of combat drones from Goma by the DRC and Rwandan troops from Congolese soil, tensions remain high. Defense Minister Jean Pierre Bemba indicated a gradual withdrawal of Rwandan forces, emphasizing the observation of a ceasefire.
Rwandan forces have a history of involvement in conflicts in the DRC, participating in wars that led to the ousting of President Mobutu Sese Seko and aimed at toppling Laurent Kabila. The situation underscores the complexities of regional geopolitics and the challenges in maintaining stability in the Great Lakes region.
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