SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Congo accuses Rwanda of "declaration of war"

The Democratic Republic of the Congo accuses neighboring country Rwanda of having declared war. The accusation comes at a meeting in the UN Security Council and after Kinshasa broke off diplomatic relations with Kigali. The rebel movement M23, supported by Rwanda, is besieging the million-city Goma.

» Published: January 26 2025

Congo accuses Rwanda of "declaration of war"
Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AP/TT

The crisis meeting in the UN Security Council in New York on Sunday began with a warning from UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He urged Rwanda to leave the neighboring country.

Guterres also said that Rwanda must cease its support to M23, which he condemned, and that the country must leave the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Then, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo accused the neighboring country of invading the country.

More forces from Rwanda have crossed (the border) ... in broad daylight, in an open breach of our sovereignty, said Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, adding that it is "a declaration of war".

The move came hours after the decision to sever contacts with Rwanda.

Airport Closed

The rebel movement M23 is said to be besieging the central city of Goma, with around two million inhabitants. Goma also hosts a large part of the international aid organizations and peacekeeping efforts in the country.

Goma's international airport was closed and evacuated on Sunday afternoon due to the security situation.

At least two people were injured, according to the UN peacekeeping forces, when a drone from Rwanda attacked targets just north of Goma.

In clashes with M23, at least thirteen foreign soldiers in peacekeeping forces have been killed in recent days, including seven South Africans.

Rwanda and its President Paul Kagame deny involvement in the conflict or supporting the rebel group M23. UN experts estimate that there have been around 4,000 soldiers from Rwanda in the neighboring country.

Several Rebel Groups

The rebel movement M23 emerged over a decade ago and consists partly of fighters from the Tutsi ethnic group who defected from the Democratic Republic of the Congo's army.

Through the latest offensive, M23 appears to be the leading group among those fighting in the mineral-rich but economically and humanitarily ravaged eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to estimates from the UN, around 100 rebel groups are active in the eastern part of the country.

UN agencies also emphasize that the consequences of the fighting are enormous. Around 400,000 are internally displaced in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, and nearly six million inhabitants have already been forced to flee their homes in four provinces in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Trump Decision Forces 500,000 Migrants to Leave the USA

Trump Decision Forces 500,000 Migrants to Leave the USA

Pope Francis to Deliver Sunday Blessing from Rome Hospital

Pope Francis to Deliver Sunday Blessing from Rome Hospital

Turkey Sees 343 Arrests as Protests Erupt Over Istanbul Mayor's Detention

Turkey Sees 343 Arrests as Protests Erupt Over Istanbul Mayor's Detention

Zelensky Visits Troops in Key Ukrainian City During Russian Assault

Zelensky Visits Troops in Key Ukrainian City During Russian Assault

Ecuador Bridge Collapse Claims Four Lives, Search for Missing Continues

Ecuador Bridge Collapse Claims Four Lives, Search for Missing Continues

Trump's Approval Steady at 48% Amid Policy Controversies

Trump's Approval Steady at 48% Amid Policy Controversies

Sudan's Army Secures Central Bank in Khartum Advance

Sudan's Army Secures Central Bank in Khartum Advance

Ukrainian Drones Target Russia Overnight, Injuring Six

Ukrainian Drones Target Russia Overnight, Injuring Six

Norway Weighs Costly Options for New NATO Air Command Site

Norway Weighs Costly Options for New NATO Air Command Site

Tate Brothers Return to Romania Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

Tate Brothers Return to Romania Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

Niger Declares National Mourning After Deadly Mosque Attack

Niger Declares National Mourning After Deadly Mosque Attack

Israel Intercepts Missile from Yemen Amid Rising Tensions

Israel Intercepts Missile from Yemen Amid Rising Tensions

European Ministers Urge Immediate Ceasefire Renewal in Gaza

European Ministers Urge Immediate Ceasefire Renewal in Gaza

Israel Strikes Military Bases in Central Syria, Including Palmyra

Israel Strikes Military Bases in Central Syria, Including Palmyra

Columbia University Agrees to US Demands to Restore Funding

Columbia University Agrees to US Demands to Restore Funding

Erdogan's Crackdown on CHP Sparks Concerns Over Turkey's Democracy

Erdogan's Crackdown on CHP Sparks Concerns Over Turkey's Democracy

Massive Protests Erupt in Istanbul Over Mayor's Arrest

Massive Protests Erupt in Istanbul Over Mayor's Arrest

Netanyahu and Supreme Court Clash Over Shin Bet Chief's Dismissal

Netanyahu and Supreme Court Clash Over Shin Bet Chief's Dismissal

Ukraine Seeks Ceasefire Progress in Saudi Talks with US and Russia

Ukraine Seeks Ceasefire Progress in Saudi Talks with US and Russia

Russian Drone Strike Sparks Fires and Injuries in Odessa

Russian Drone Strike Sparks Fires and Injuries in Odessa

Germany Approves €3.3 Billion Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Germany Approves €3.3 Billion Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Over 100,000 Flee Eastern Congo Amid Escalating Violence

Over 100,000 Flee Eastern Congo Amid Escalating Violence

High Descent Speed Cited in Toronto Plane Crash Report

High Descent Speed Cited in Toronto Plane Crash Report

Germany Approves 500 Billion Euro Loan Package for Defense and Infrastructure

Germany Approves 500 Billion Euro Loan Package for Defense and Infrastructure

Record Deaths on Migration Routes in 2024, Reports UN Agency

Record Deaths on Migration Routes in 2024, Reports UN Agency

Israel to Expand Gaza Occupation Until Hostages Released, Says Minister

Israel to Expand Gaza Occupation Until Hostages Released, Says Minister

Fire Erupts at Russian Gas Facility Amid Blame Game with Ukraine

Fire Erupts at Russian Gas Facility Amid Blame Game with Ukraine

Russian Security Council Chair Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Russian Security Council Chair Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Sudan's Military Claims Control of Presidential Palace Amid Ongoing Clashes

Sudan's Military Claims Control of Presidential Palace Amid Ongoing Clashes

Russia's Sergey Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Russia's Sergey Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Argentina's CGT Union Calls 24-Hour Strike for April 10

Argentina's CGT Union Calls 24-Hour Strike for April 10

Israeli Court Temporarily Blocks Dismissal of Security Chief

Israeli Court Temporarily Blocks Dismissal of Security Chief

US to Finalize Mineral Agreement with Ukraine Soon, Says Trump

US to Finalize Mineral Agreement with Ukraine Soon, Says Trump

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Stance on Ukraine at EU Summit

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Stance on Ukraine at EU Summit

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Southern and Eastern Lebanon

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Southern and Eastern Lebanon

French Doctor Admits to Assaulting 299 Children in Ongoing Trial

French Doctor Admits to Assaulting 299 Children in Ongoing Trial

Haiti's Media Under Siege as Gangs Target Journalists

Haiti's Media Under Siege as Gangs Target Journalists

Israel Intensifies Ground Operations Across Southern Gaza

Israel Intensifies Ground Operations Across Southern Gaza

Norwegian Police in Finnmark Offered Bonuses to Boost Retention

Norwegian Police in Finnmark Offered Bonuses to Boost Retention

Thousands of South Africans Eye US Refugee Status Amid Tensions

Thousands of South Africans Eye US Refugee Status Amid Tensions