AfricaFight for resources: G7 calls for an end to violence in eastern Congo
SDA
2.2.2025 - 11:21
ARCHIVE - People flee the ongoing conflict between government troops and M-23 rebels in the eastern Congolese province of North Kivu. Photo: Moses Sawasawa/AP/dpa/Archive image
Keystone
In view of the ongoing fighting in eastern Congo, diplomatic efforts are intensifying to avoid a regional expansion of the conflict. Following special summits of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the G7 foreign ministers are now also calling for an end to the fighting and for the protection of the civilian population. This emerges from a statement by the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
Keystone-SDA
02.02.2025, 11:21
SDA
Accusations against Rwanda
The role of neighboring Rwanda in the resource-rich region in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo is addressed in clear terms - the Rwandan army and the M23 militia are called upon to cease their offensive. The direct and indirect support of the M23 is a flagrant violation of Congo's territorial sovereignty.
The M23 and the conflict over raw materials
The rebel group controls large areas in the Congolese province of North Kivu, including mines containing valuable metals such as gold and coltan. Experts believe that large quantities are being smuggled to Rwanda and exported from there. Coltan is a rare metal that is needed for the production of smartphones, laptops and batteries for electric cars.
The M23 has its roots in the ethnic Tutsi community, which fell victim to the genocide in Rwanda almost 31 years ago. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, himself a Tutsi, sees his country's involvement as a protective measure for Tutsis in Congo and cites Rwanda's security interests.
Rebels threaten to march on capital Kinshasa
The rebel group advanced into the provincial capital of Goma a week ago and is now in control of the strategically important city of millions. The political leader of the M23 has threatened to march on the capital Kinshasa in order to overthrow the government of President Félix Tshisekedi. The rebels are currently advancing in the province of South Kivu.
The G7 countries include the USA, Germany, France, Great Britain, Canada, Japan and Italy. The EU is also represented at the meetings.