The fragile ceasefire between the rebel Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and the Congolese army holds, however, the risk of a return to fighting remains. Uganda[1] and South Sudan[2] were the last countries to send in troops as part of the East African Community’s Regional Force (EACRF). Despite claims of progress, including from Uhuru Kenyatta, a key mediator to the peace process,[3] very little seems to have changed as residents of areas reportedly liberated by the regional force indicate M23 is still present and collecting taxes. The situation remains volatile.[4]
In April, the UN Security Council was briefed on the deterioration of the situation since October 2022,[5] The ongoing violence has taken a toll on the population, tensions among communities are high and hate speech continues to be a threat.[6]
The situation in the Ituri region remains worrying with ongoing attacks on civilians. Over 150 civilians were killed in the first two weeks of April and almost 500 since December 2022 by non-state actors, including the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).[7] There were also reported attacks on health facilities.[8]
Tensions between Congo and Rwanda calmed, as undiplomatic exchanges between the countries decreased, but trust is at an “all time low,” according to the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region Huang Xia. The envoy called on the UN Security Council and the international community to bolster their efforts to decrease tensions.[9] At the same time, tensions between Uganda and the DRC are also brewing. DRC locals backed by the country’s police crossed into Uganda and laid claim to three villages in Zombo district.[10]
[1] France 24, “Ugandan troops join regional force in DR Congo as rebel fighters ignore retreat deadline,” 31 March 2023, https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20230331-ugandan-troops-join-regional-force-in-dr-congo-as-rebel-fighters-ignore-retreat-deadline
[2] The New Times, “South Sudan Deploys More Troops to DR Congo,” 4 April 2023, https://allafrica.com/stories/202304050201.html
[3] The New Times, “DR Congo: Nairobi process making progress, says Kenyatta,” 2 May 2023, https://allafrica.com/stories/202305030479.html
[4] Nation, “East African force fails to quell rebels in DR Congo,” 27 April 2023, https://nation.africa/africa/news/east-african-force-fails-to-quell-rebels-in-dr-congo-4214334
[5] UN News, “Congo-Kinshasa: DR Congo – Security Council Warned of ‘Considerable’ Deterioration in Restive East,” 14 April 2023, https://www.voanews.com/a/dozens-of-civilians-killed-in-eastern-congo-village-attack-/7051349.html
[6] UN News, “Congo-Kinshasa: ‘Fragile Ceasefire’ Holds in Eastern DR Congo, Security Council Hears,” 19 April 2023, https://allafrica.com/stories/202304200050.html
[7] Africa News, “DRC: Over 150 dead in two weeks in Ituri, according to the UN,” 19 April 2023, https://www.africanews.com/2023/04/19/drc-over-150-dead-in-two-weeks-in-ituri-according-to-the-un//
[8] Africa News, “DRC: Over 150 dead in two weeks in Ituri, according to the UN,” 19 April 2023, https://www.africanews.com/2023/04/19/drc-over-150-dead-in-two-weeks-in-ituri-according-to-the-un//
[9] UNSC, Global Community Must Bolster Efforts to Decrease Tensions in Great Lakes Region, Special Envoy Tells Security Council, Highlighting Role of Regional Peace Plans, 19 April 2023, https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/global-community-must-bolster-efforts-decrease-tensions-great-lakes-region-special-envoy-tells-security-council-highlighting-role-regional-peace-plans
[10] The East African, “DRC locals, backed by police, claim three Ugandan villages in Zombo,” 25 April 2023, https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/dr-congo-police-take-over-three-ugandan-villages-4212282
