Russia has strongly condemned the actions of the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), demanding an immediate halt to hostilities and the withdrawal of militants from occupied territories. Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, Russian Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzya emphasized the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“Russia strongly condemns the actions of M23,” Nebenzya declared, urging the rebels to vacate captured towns and villages. He also called on foreign actors to cease supporting M23 and withdraw any military units involved in the conflict.
The crisis in the North Kivu province is escalating into a severe humanitarian disaster, Nebenzya warned. He stressed the necessity of resuming the Angola-mediated negotiations between Rwanda and the DRC, warning that continued violence risks sparking a broader regional conflict.
M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group with Rwandan backing, intensified its offensive, entering Goma on January 26. According to Le Monde, the rebels now control significant parts of the city, with key resistance concentrated near Goma International Airport.
The DRC conflict has deep historical roots, dating back to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The M23 rebellion emerged in 2012 from a coalition of Congolese Tutsi fighters and army defectors, with the latest wave of hostilities beginning in January 2021. Since then, M23 has taken control of multiple cities and over 100 villages in North Kivu.
Nebenzya reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting peace efforts within the UN framework, vowing to work towards de-escalation and stability in eastern DRC.
