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2022 Democratic Republic of the Congo–Rwanda tensions

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2022 Democratic Republic of the Congo–Rwanda tensions
Part of the M23 offensive (2022)
Date27 March 2022 – present
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LocationDemocratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda
Status Ongoing
Belligerents

 Democratic Republic of the Congo

FDLR (alleged by Rwanda, denied by the DRC)

 Rwanda

  • March 23 Movement (alleged by the DRC, denied by Rwanda)
  • Supported by:
  •  Uganda (Alleged by senior security sources, denied by Uganda)[1]
Commanders and leaders
Félix Tshisekedi Paul Kagame
Francois Habitegeko[2][3]
Strength
500 special forces in Tshanzu (per DRC)
Casualties and losses
    • 1 officer killed
    • 2 officers injured (per Rwanda)
    • 2 Congolese civilians killed (per DRC)
    • Several Rwandan and Congolese civilians wounded

In 2022, heavy tensions broke out between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, which have led to several alleged attacks by Congolese and Rwandan forces on each others territory.

The crisis is related to a recent offensive by members of the March 23 Movement (M23), which the Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting.[4] Rwanda has also accused the DRC of supporting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) paramilitary group.[5] Both the Congo and Rwanda deny they support the FDLR and M23, respectively.[4][6] The MONUSCO peacekeeping mission maintains that it is not involved in the conflict,[7] but has been accused by Rwanda of taking sides.[8]

Timeline[]

See also: M23 offensive (2022)

May[]

DRC forces said that they had captured two Rwandan soldiers that had been sent into the Congo in disguise. Both were released on June 11.[9]

May 23[]

DRC forces reportedly shelled Musanze District, in the Northern Province of Rwanda, injuring several people.[10][11]

May 27[]

The Democratic Republic of the Congo ordered the suspension of all RwandAir flights.[12] Rwanda condemned the action[13] and RwandAir decided to retaliate by cancelling flights to Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma.[12]

May 29[]

African Union Chairman and President of Senegal Macky Sall said that the African Union was supporting a "peaceful resolution" to the tensions.[14]

June 2[]

Angolan president João Lourenço attempted to mediate a resolution between the two countries in Luanda.[15]

June 8[]

Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium, compared the Eastern DRC to Ukraine in a visit to Kinshasa, additionally making comments implying his support for the Congo in its border crisis with Rwanda.[16]

June 9[]

The Democratic Republic of the Congo said it had discovered that 500 Rwandan special forces had been sent into the Tshanzu region in North Kivu.[5][17]

June 10[]

The DRC accused Rwanda of firing rockets at a school in Biruma, North Kivu,[18] killing two children and seriously injuring another person of unspecified age. Rwanda also said that the Congo had fired rockets into Western Rwanda from the direction of Bunagana.[19][20]

June 11[]

The United Nations called for a ceasefire between the two countries.[21]

June 12[]

The Congo alleged that Rwanda intended to occupy the city of Bunagana.[4]

June 13[]

On June 13, M23 forces captured the city of Bunagana from the DRC, forcing about 30,000 people civilian to flee to Uganda. However, the DRC claimed that Rwandan forces were helping to occupy the city. The rebels claimed that taking Bunagana wasn't their goal but decided to do it after repeated attacks by the Congolese army. They also said that they were open to doing direct negotiations with the government.[1] The DRC described the fall of Bunagana as "no less than an invasion" by Rwanda.[8] Two senior Congolese security sources claimed that Uganda was also helping the M23 in their offensive.[1] That same day, Rwanda charged the MONUSCO mission of taking sides in the conflict, which it said was allowing the Congo to carry out cross-border attacks in Rwanda.[8]

The heavy fighting also caused about 137 Congolese soldiers and 37 police officers to flee into Uganda, where they surrendered to Ugandan forces.[22][23]

A Kinyarwanda speaking DRC Armed Forces lieutenant colonel was attacked and beaten by a mob in Kisangani.[24][25]

June 15[]

Thousands of demonstrators organized a protest against Rwandan actions in Goma. The protest quickly turned into an anti-Rwandan riot as an angry mob pillaged and attacked shops owned by Rwandans, seizing vehicles to check if Rwandans were inside.[26][27] Congolese riot police fired tear gas at protesters after some tried to enter a border checkpoint at the Rwandan border.[27] Several Rwandans in Goma responded by fleeing the country.[28]

On the same day, the DRC suspended all "memoranda of understanding, agreements, and conventions concluded with Rwanda", demanding the withdrawal of all alleged Rwandan military personnel within the boundaries of the country.[29]

June 17[]

Just a few hours after Congolese security officials called for the DRC to cut all ties with Rwanda, a Congolese soldier crossed into Rubavu District carrying an AK-47[30] and was shot to death by a Rwanda National Police officer. The Rwanda Defence Force said that the soldier was killed after he started shooting at civilians and security forces, and had injured two officers.[31][32] The Congo shut down the two countries' border in response to the officer's death, adding that it would open an investigation into the events.[33]

As a vehicle brought back the officer's body to Goma, a crowd made up of hundreds of people followed the vehicle shouting "hero, hero" and describing President of Rwanda Paul Kagame as an assassin.[34][35] Some members of the crowd were documented yelling hateful slogans against Tutsis.[35]

August[]

In early August, a report for the United Nations by independent experts was leaked to the press. The report provided evidence that Rwandan troops had entered Congolese territory to support M23, fighting alongside the insurgents. These findings led to calls by journalists and officials in the DRC for the UN to sanction Rwanda.[36][37]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sabiti, Djaffar; Bujakera, Stanis (2022-06-13). "Congo rebels seize eastern border town, army blames Rwanda" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-rebels-seize-key-eastern-border-town-local-activists-say-2022-06-13/. 
  2. ↑ "DRC should protect Rwandans in Goma – Governor Habitegeko" (in en). 2022-06-15. https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/drc-should-protect-rwandans-goma-governor-habitegeko. 
  3. ↑ "Governor Habitegeko assures Rubavu border community of tight security" (in en). 2022-06-12. https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/governor-habitegeko-assures-rubavu-border-community-tight-security. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Reuters (2022-06-13). "Congo says Rwandan forces supported latest rebel attacks as thousands flee" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-says-rwandan-forces-supported-latest-rebel-attacks-east-2022-06-12/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Reuters (2022-06-09). "Congo accuses Rwanda of sending disguised troops across border" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-accuses-rwanda-sending-disguised-troops-across-border-2022-06-09/. 
  6. ↑ "DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of backing rebels" (in en). 2022-06-05. https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20220605-dr-congo-president-felix-tshisekedi-accuses-rwanda-of-backing-rebels. 
  7. ↑ Anna, Cara (2022-06-16). "EXPLAINER: Why Rwanda and Congo are sliding toward war again" (in en). National Post. https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/explainer-why-rwanda-and-congo-are-sliding-toward-war-again. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "M23 rebels seize key DRC town, Congolese military blames Rwanda" (in en). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/13/m23-rebels-seize-key-congolese-town-drc-blames-rwanda. 
  9. ↑ Reuters (2022-06-11). "Rwanda says two soldiers detained in Congo have been released" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/rwanda-says-two-soldiers-detained-congo-have-been-released-2022-06-11/. 
  10. ↑ Reuters (2022-05-23). "Rwanda says its territory shelled by Congo, requests probe" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/rwanda-says-its-territory-shelled-by-congo-requests-probe-2022-05-23/. 
  11. ↑ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Rwanda accuses Congo of shelling its territory | DW | 23.05.2022" (in en-GB). https://www.dw.com/en/rwanda-accuses-congo-of-shelling-its-territory/a-61907477. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "DR Congo halts RwandAir over alleged support for rebel group" (in en). 2022-05-28. https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20220528-dr-congo-halts-rwandair-over-alleged-support-for-m23-rebel-group. 
  13. ↑ AfricaNews (2022-05-31). "Rwandan Foreign Minister claims 'right to respond' amid tensions with DR Congo" (in en). https://www.africanews.com/2022/05/31/rwandan-foreign-minister-claims-right-to-respond-amid-tensions-with-dr-congo/. 
  14. ↑ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Why do tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda persist? | DW | 31.05.2022" (in en-GB). https://www.dw.com/en/why-do-tensions-between-dr-congo-and-rwanda-persist/a-61986202. 
  15. ↑ AfricaNews (2022-06-02). "DRC: Hundreds protest over Rwanda's alleged rebel backing" (in en). https://www.africanews.com/2022/06/02/drc-hundreds-protest-over-rwanda-s-alleged-rebel-backing/. 
  16. ↑ "The next hole in UK's Rwanda asylum plan: Conflict in Congo" (in en-US). 2022-06-15. https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-deportation-plan-rwanda-fighters-congo/. 
  17. ↑ "DRC accuses Rwanda of sending disguised soldiers across border" (in en). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/9/drc-accuses-rwanda-of-sending-disguised-troops-across-border. 
  18. ↑ AfricaNews (2022-06-15). "Civilians caught in the fighting between DRC's army and the M23 rebels" (in en). https://www.africanews.com/2022/06/15/civilians-caught-in-the-fighting-between-drcs-army-and-the-m23-rebels/. 
  19. ↑ Reuters (2022-06-11). "Congo, Rwanda accuse each other of fresh cross-border rocket strikes" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-rwanda-accuse-each-other-fresh-cross-border-rocket-strikes-2022-06-10/. 
  20. ↑ AfricaNews (2022-06-11). "Rwanda says DRC launched two rockets into its soil" (in en). https://www.africanews.com/2022/06/11/rwanda-says-drc-launched-two-rockets-into-its-soil/. 
  21. ↑ "UN urges 'immediate' halt to cross-border clashes in eastern DRC" (in en). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/11/un-urges-immediate-halt-to-clashes-in-eastern-dr-congo. 
  22. ↑ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "DR Congo accuses Rwanda of 'invasion' as rebels attack town | DW | 14.06.2022" (in en-GB). https://www.dw.com/en/dr-congo-accuses-rwanda-of-invasion-as-rebels-attack-town/a-62120212. 
  23. ↑ "DR Congo accuses Rwanda of 'invasion' as rebels seize town" (in en-US). https://news.yahoo.com/dr-congo-rebels-seize-trading-171255241.html. 
  24. ↑ "Tension RDC-Rwanda: Kinshasa tente de réprimer les dérives xénophobes" (in fr). https://www.voaafrique.com/a/les-autorités-congolaises-décident-de-combattre-la-chasse-aux-rwandophones/6619815.html. 
  25. ↑ AfricaNews (2022-06-16). "DRC: Authorities decide to fight "the hunt" for Rwandophones" (in en). https://www.africanews.com/2022/06/16/drc-authorities-decide-to-fight-the-hunt-for-rwandophones/. 
  26. ↑ "DR Congo to combat sectarian 'stigmatisation' amid Rwanda tensions" (in en). 2022-06-16. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220616-dr-congo-to-combat-sectarian-stigmatisation-amid-rwanda-tensions. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Congo official: Rwanda will have war if it wants war" (in en). https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/congo-official-rwanda-war-war-85410555. 
  28. ↑ "Anti-Rwanda tensions boil over in eastern DR Congo city of Goma" (in en). 2022-06-15. https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20220615-anti-rwanda-tensions-boil-over-in-eastern-dr-congo-city-of-goma. 
  29. ↑ Tasamba, James (June 15, 2022). "DRC defense council orders gov't to suspend pacts with Rwanda". Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/drc-defense-council-orders-govt-to-suspend-pacts-with-rwanda/2615513. 
  30. ↑ Sabiti, Djaffar; Bujakera, Stanis (2022-06-17). "Congo soldier shot dead in Rwanda, rebels make gains in east" (in en). National Post. https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/congo-soldier-shot-dead-in-rwanda-rebels-make-gains-in-east. 
  31. ↑ "Congo Defense Council Calls for Halt to Agreements With Rwanda" (in en). Bloomberg.com. 2022-06-16. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-16/congo-defense-council-calls-for-halt-to-agreements-with-rwanda. 
  32. ↑ "Rwanda says Congolese soldier crossed border and opened fire" (in en). 2022-06-17. https://apnews.com/article/politics-rwanda-africa-kigali-71ec2f3889f30e48dedf26da18784721. 
  33. ↑ "DRC closes Rwanda border after soldier is shot dead during attack" (in en). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/17/congo-closes-border-with-rwanda-after-soldier-shot-dead-during-attack. 
  34. ↑ "Congo's president says Rwandans waging 'economic war'" (in en). 2022-06-17. https://apnews.com/article/politics-rwanda-africa-kigali-71ec2f3889f30e48dedf26da18784721. 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Sabiti, Djaffar; Bujakera, Stanis (2022-06-17). "Congolese soldier killed in Rwanda, fighting with rebels picks up" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-soldier-shot-dead-rwanda-anger-flares-body-returned-2022-06-17/. 
  36. ↑ "Tempête des tropiques : « Soutien militaire au M23, l’ONU enfonce le Rwanda »". RadioOkapi. 5 August 2022. https://www.radiookapi.net/2022/08/05/actualite/revue-de-presse/tempete-des-tropiques-soutien-militaire-au-m23-lonu-enfonce-le. 
  37. ↑ "Rwanda Inside DRC, Aiding M23 - Report". VOA. 4 August 2022. https://www.voaafrica.com/a/rwanda-inside-drc-aiding-m23---report/6686811.html. 
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