UN Security Council urges Rwanda to halt support for M23 rebels

The UN Security Council called on Rwanda to stop backing M23 rebels, who have made inroads in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as the conflict risks spilling over to the region.

The M23 rebels has intensified its offensive in eastern Congo, capturing key areas including Goma, Bukavu, and Kavumu airport. The recent fighting worsened the humanitarian crisis in the area leading to the displacement of 110,000.

The Security Council called in a resolution for an immediate ceasefire and urged Rwanda to end its military support for M23 “without pre-conditions.”

The 15 Council members urged the DRC and Rwanda “to return without preconditions to diplomatic talks as a matter of urgency to achieve a lasting and peaceful resolution of the protracted conflict in the region.”

The resolution also condemned support provided by DRC military forces to specific armed groups, particularly the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

The M23 vows to defend Tutsi interests, particularly against ethnic Hutu militias like the FDLR. The FDLR was founded by Hutus who fled Rwanda after participating in the 1994 genocide that killed close to one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

The resolution strongly condemned all attacks directed against civilians and infrastructure, including UN, humanitarian and medical personnel.