France expressed “deep concern” on Tuesday about the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where violence between M23 rebels and pro-government forces has intensified.
French officials said Rwanda must end its alleged backing for the M23 rebel group, which has recently increased its onslaught in the region.
“France condemns the continuation of the M23 offensives with the support of Rwanda, and the presence of Rwandan forces on Congolese territory,” read a statement released by French authorities. We call on Rwanda to cease all support for the M23 and to withdraw from Congolese territory,” read a statement.
Paris stated that it supports a regional mediation effort to resolve the current violence between pro-government forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and their opponents. Paris’ comments added to the rising international pressure on Rwanda to stop backing the M23 rebels. Kigali denies supporting the M23, despite claims by the US, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and a United Nations delegation of experts that Rwanda funds and battles with the rebel force.
The M23, named after the March 23 date of a 2009 accord that ended a previous Tutsi-led insurrection in eastern Congo, is the most recent in a line of ethnic Tutsi-led insurgent organizations to rise up against Congolese authorities.
The group has accused the Congolese government of failing to fully incorporate Congolese Tutsis into the army and administration as promised in the peace agreement.
It also promises to defend Tutsi interests, particularly against ethnic Hutu militias such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which was formed by Hutus who fled Rwanda after taking part in the 1994 genocide that killed over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Also Read: Former President Uhuru Kenyatta to Chair another Top Meeting in Nairobi
