DRC President Threatens War Against M23 Rebels and Rwanda.
KINSHASA, DRC - President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has threatened to go to war with the M23 rebel group and the Rwandan military. This is the first time he has made such a threat since M23 took control of Goma, a key city in eastern DRC.
"We will respond strongly to these terrorists and their supporters," Tshisekedi said in a speech to the nation on Wednesday evening. He vowed that the DRC "will not be humiliated or defeated."
Tshisekedi did not attend an emergency meeting of East African Community (EAC) leaders called by Kenyan President William Ruto. Instead, he gave a speech and accused Rwanda of sending "thousands of soldiers" into eastern DRC, which has worsened tensions between the two countries.
Before his speech, Tshisekedi met with Angolan President João Lourenço in Luanda. Lourenço has been a key mediator in the regional crisis. However, Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused Lourenço of not supporting the Luanda Process, which aims to bring peace to the region.
EAC leaders at the crisis meeting called for an immediate ceasefire and urged the DRC government to talk directly with all groups involved, including the M23 rebels, to find a political solution. However, the DRC government has refused to negotiate with the rebel group, making it harder to achieve peace.
Tshisekedi's tough stance and growing divisions in the region could spread the conflict in eastern DRC, raising concerns about stability in the Great Lakes area.
KINSHASA, DRC - President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has threatened to go to war with the M23 rebel group and the Rwandan military. This is the first time he has made such a threat since M23 took control of Goma, a key city in eastern DRC.
"We will respond strongly to these terrorists and their supporters," Tshisekedi said in a speech to the nation on Wednesday evening. He vowed that the DRC "will not be humiliated or defeated."
Tshisekedi did not attend an emergency meeting of East African Community (EAC) leaders called by Kenyan President William Ruto. Instead, he gave a speech and accused Rwanda of sending "thousands of soldiers" into eastern DRC, which has worsened tensions between the two countries.
Before his speech, Tshisekedi met with Angolan President João Lourenço in Luanda. Lourenço has been a key mediator in the regional crisis. However, Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused Lourenço of not supporting the Luanda Process, which aims to bring peace to the region.
EAC leaders at the crisis meeting called for an immediate ceasefire and urged the DRC government to talk directly with all groups involved, including the M23 rebels, to find a political solution. However, the DRC government has refused to negotiate with the rebel group, making it harder to achieve peace.
Tshisekedi's tough stance and growing divisions in the region could spread the conflict in eastern DRC, raising concerns about stability in the Great Lakes area.
