The security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has worsened as the fighting between government forces and the March 23 Movement (M23) intensifies in North Kivu Province. The M23, a domestic rebel group, has clearly stated that it is fighting for the rights of Congolese Tutsi communities, who they say have long been denied their freedoms. The M23, currently engaged in combat with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), claims to have defeated and outpaced the Congolese forces, capturing several towns, including Sake in North Kivu Province. By Sunday, January 26, it had announced the closure of Goma Airport airspace, and had earlier sent a 48-hour warning to the DRC army and other forces to put down their arms. Instead, the DRC military forces has continued to pile up arms, including heavy artillery and attack helicopters in Goma, a strong signal that it’s committed to a military solution instead of dialogue. The DRC army has formed a coalition, including the FDLR, a UN-sanctioned terrorist organisation comprised of remnants of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, as it battles the M23. It also enjoys the support of foreign troops and private military such as European mercenaries hired by the DRC government. Despite support from the Wazalendos, the allied self-defence groups from the DRC capital Kinshasa, and troops sent by the Southern African Community (SADC), the FARDC appears to be losing its grip on the region. FARDC has lost its important commanders including the military governor of North Kivu who was killed on the battlefield. The leader of FDLR was also killed, not to mention many of SADC forces. This clearly shows that DRC cannot resolve this crisis through a war. Time and again, countries such as Angola have attempted to mediate the two sides through the Luanda peace process, but authorities in DRC have disregarded efforts to implement a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis. This complete disregard to a peaceful solution has intensified the crisis, which has already displaced thousands of Congolese people and left many wounded. The DRC government continues to call on the international community to extend support in the fighting, but there appears no genuine reason to believe that this outsourcing of its problems will solve the crisis. It must own up its affairs and commit to resolve the crisis through a peaceful dialogue that takes into account the demands of Congolese people, most of whom have suffered for so long. The DRC authorities must also end discrimination, violence, and hate speech that they have fueled for a long time, as well as respect the rights and dignity of Congolese Tutsi communities.
