The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a resolution urging Rwanda to pull its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and cease support for the M23 rebel group. The draft resolution will be presented on Friday, demanding an immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory “without preconditions.”
The M23 rebels, in control of the two largest cities in eastern Congo, have fueled fears of a broader regional conflict. Rwanda, however, denies providing support to the M23 and claims its actions are solely aimed at protecting itself from Hutu militias it accuses of collaborating with the Congolese military.
The French-drafted resolution strongly condemns the M23’s offensive in North and South Kivu provinces and calls for the rebels to halt hostilities and withdraw. The U.N. Security Council requires at least nine votes in favor for the resolution to pass, with no vetoes from the permanent members.
Diplomats anticipate the resolution’s approval. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of exploiting M23 as a proxy to loot valuable minerals like gold and coltan, which are used in electronics. The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwandan officials linked to the conflict.
In response, Rwanda claims the DRC is supporting the FDLR, a militia made up of Hutu extremists. Both sides continue to face accusations of using armed groups as proxies, further complicating efforts for peace.
The U.N. resolution emphasizes the need for diplomatic talks to resolve the decade-long insurgency, which has claimed the lives of several U.N. peacekeepers. The draft warns that any attacks on peacekeepers could lead to sanctions, underscoring the growing urgency for a peaceful solution.
