The deteriorating security situation in neighbouring DRC has again pulled back US Secretary of State Antony Blinken into talks with the leaders of Rwanda and DRC.
According to the US Department of State communique, Blinken on Monday via phone calls spoke separately with both Rwandan President Paul Kagame and President Félix Tshisekedi of DRC.
“The Secretary discussed the volatile situation and worsening humanitarian crisis along the border between Rwanda and the DRC. The Secretary advocated for a diplomatic solution to the tensions between the two countries and urged each side take measures to de-escalate the situation, including removing troops from the border,” read a communique from the US Department of State.
The Rwandan Presidency said after the phone discussions that President Kagame and Anthony Blinken had a productive discussion on the deterioration of the security situation in Eastern DRC, as well as the need for de-escalation of hostilities and a political resolution to the conflict.
“President Kagame reiterated Rwanda’s firm support for the ongoing regional processes to bring peace and stability to DRC and the region,” the Rwandan Presidency said in a post on X.
Violent Clashes Ongoing
As Blinken had phone conversations with President Kagame and President Tshisekedi on Monday, violent clashes were ongoing between Congolese army FARDC and fighters of the M23 movement in the heart of Virunga Park in the territory of Rutshuru.
“The company Virunga Energies informs the public that there is a power cut in the city of Goma due to clashes between FARDC and M23 in Kibumba. Virunga Energies is unfortunately unable to restore electricity at this time and is unable to say when its teams will have access to areas damaged by the clashes,” a press release said.
On Sunday, violent clashes were reported between Congolese military FARDC and Ugandan rebels ADF along the Mbau-Kamango road, a road section located in the Beni territory, in North Kivu.
According to military sources, the clashes followed an ambush set by the rebels. According to Captain Anthony Mwalushayi, spokesperson for the Sokola 1 Grand-North operational sector, the ADF killed a civilian during this attack.
“The security situation on the Mbau-Kamango road remains alarming,” says Captain Anthony Mwalushayi.
It should also be noted that on Saturday, President Félix Tshisekedi flew to 4, in Luanda, Angola to participate in the extraordinary summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The main objective of this summit, which brings together SADC heads of state and government, is; the deployment of the SADC military mission in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).
“We did not ask for help from SADC. Within the SADC, there is a duty of solidarity. So, we don’t even need to ask for this help. It goes without saying. Within the SADC, when one member is attacked, the others have the duty of solidarity and this is what the SADC expressed by inviting me to this meeting of the troika, the SADC peace and security mechanism for that I explain the situation in the DRC,” said Félix Tshisekedi, during the press conference held at the end of his tête-à-tête with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.
