Fights for big city Goma: Congo calls for help from the UN Security Council

In view of the flaring violence in the country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) calls for international action with the obvious participation of soldiers from Rwanda. Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner addressed the UN Security Council in New York and asked rhetorically which international law still had to violate Rwanda, “so that the council finally takes the necessary measures against Kigali”.

The trigger of the current developments is the advancement of the rebel militia M23 together with soldiers from the neighboring country Rwanda in the east of the country. M23 has been fighting Congolese government troops and allies with it for years to secure access to soil treasures. According to the European Union, the total number of displaced persons in the country is now valued at more than seven million people.

“Crimes against humanity and war crimes”

Foreign Minister Kayikwamba Wagner also emphasized that more than 100 patients in hospitals from the International Committee had been brought in by the Red Cross in the past 24 hours. The humanitarian situation is increasingly deteriorating that the region in the east of the country had recorded more than half a million new inland refugees in January alone.

“These victims are nothing less than the result of criminal acts that are crimes against humanity and war crimes, which were committed by the Rwandic armed forces in complete impunity and the silence of this council,” said the Foreign Minister.

Rwanda’s UN ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo seemed to suggest that Rwandian soldiers were not involved in the fights. The diplomat spoke of alleged dead fighters from Rwanda – however, this could not be, because this does not exist. Instead, he accused the Democratic Republic of the Congo of shoting at Rwandian territory.

Un: Attacks Goma Goma

The United Nations also called for an intervention by the international community. “The situation in Goma requires urgent and coordinated international action,” said UN representative Vivian van de Perre before the UN Security Council in New York.

Since Sunday, the Group M23 rebels, together with Rwandic troops, have been attacking the city of Goma in the east of the country with heavy weapons, continued van de Perre. “These attacks continue to devastate the city, kill, violate, traumatize and drive away civilians and tighten the crisis.” In addition, the UN mission in the country has taken numerous protection seekers in Goma.

Guterres tries diplomacy with phone calls

A number of member states of the UN Security Council condemned the advancement of the rebels and the direct participation of the Rwandic troops. Several countries called for an immediate ceasefire. The United States stimulated measures in the most powerful UN committee. UN General Secretary António Guterres had, according to his spokesman, on Tuesday morning with the President of the DRC, Felix Tshiseecedi, and with the Rwandian President Paul Kagame to be on the phone to calm the situation. The United Nations also emphasized that civil society must be protected from violence.