DR Congo president promises strong fight against M23 rebels as they push forward
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On Wednesday night, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) made a powerful promise to the people of his country. He said he would do everything possible to push back against the M23 rebels, a group backed by Rwanda, who have taken control of parts of eastern DRC, including the important city of Goma.
Speaking on TV, Tshisekedi said, “We will not allow our country to be humiliated. We will stand strong and fight to take back our land.”
The M23 rebels are advancing further into DRC, threatening to capture more towns. Tshisekedi called the rebels “terrorists” and announced plans for a “vigorous and coordinated response.” He also criticized the international community for not doing enough to stop the fighting.
The ongoing conflict has caused a lot of suffering. Over 500,000 people have had to flee their homes because of the violence, and cities like Goma are struggling without electricity or water. Food is hard to find, and many people are scared and hungry.
Even though East African leaders held an online meeting to discuss a peaceful solution, Tshisekedi refused to talk directly to the rebels. Instead, he said he would only speak with Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame. Tshisekedi believes that Rwanda is supporting the rebels, something Rwanda has denied.
While the country fights to regain control, the situation continues to worsen. Tshisekedi thanked peacekeepers from South Africa and the UN who have died while helping to protect the region, and expressed his deep appreciation for their sacrifice.
In the meantime, the rebels are continuing their march, with reports saying they’re now heading towards Bukavu, the second-largest city in DRC. The Congolese army is trying to defend the city, but the rebels have not faced strong resistance so far.
International pressure is growing for Rwanda to stop supporting the M23 rebels. Countries like the United States, the European Union, and China are urging Rwanda to pull back its forces. The UK and Germany have even said they might stop sending aid to Rwanda if the violence doesn’t end soon.
The whole world is watching to see if DRC can push back the rebels and restore peace to the region.