President Paul Kagame and US Secretary of State Discuss Need to Address Root Causes of DR Congo Crisis

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a crucial conversation on Wednesday, January 29, regarding the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

The discussion centered around the urgency of establishing a ceasefire in the volatile eastern region of DR Congo, where the M23 rebel group captured the city of Goma on Sunday, January 26, marking a significant escalation in a conflict that has been simmering since late 2021.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), President Kagame expressed his commitment to addressing the crisis, stating, “Had a productive conversation with Secretary Rubio on the need to ensure a ceasefire in Eastern DRC and address the root causes of the conflict once and for all, and on the importance of deepening our bilateral ties based upon respect for our respective national interests.” He added that he looks forward to collaborating with the Trump Administration to enhance security and prosperity for the region.

The capture of Goma, a city with a population of approximately two million, followed a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the M23 rebels for the Congolese government forces to surrender their weapons. After the deadline passed, the rebels seized control of the city, prompting Congolese military forces to surrender and hand over their arms to the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO.

The situation in the area remained tense on Monday, with the Congolese army and the FDLR militia  an armed group with ties to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide firing shells across the Rwandan border. The cross-border shelling resulted in the deaths of nine civilians and injuries to more than 30 others.

The ongoing conflict has exacerbated tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda, with Kinshasa accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels. Rwanda, however, rejects these accusations, citing security concerns related to the FDLR’s involvement with Congolese forces. The Rwandan government has also voiced concerns over the presence of Burundian troops, European mercenaries, and South African-led SADC forces near its border, suggesting that DR Congo’s military actions pose a broader threat to regional stability.

While DR Congo has ruled out negotiations with the M23, labeling the group a terrorist organization, Rwanda advocates for a political resolution that includes peace talks. Despite this, the Congolese government rejected a December peace agreement brokered by Angola, which would have paved the way for dialogue with the rebels.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, heads of state from the East African Community (EAC) are expected to convene a crisis meeting to address the conflict and explore potential solutions.