Armed Conflict in the Eastern Areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Szöveg: Col. Sándor Nagy | 2012. december 12. 9:33The armed conflict affecting two eastern provinces of Congo is still continuing. Since its formation in March 2012, the political-military rebel group “M23” has occupied some large areas in the part of North Kivu bordering Rwanda and Uganda.
Launched on November 15, the M23 attack has resulted in the capture of Goma, the seat of North Kivu Province and other areas. The Congolese army has practically fled the town during the capture of Goma. Currently the M23 is in control of the town, where there is no water, no power, and virtually no institutions are working. The remaining police forces in the town were immediately disarmed, but many of them are supporters of the rebels.
The army has recently made some attempts to recapture these areas, but it failed to achieve this objective.
Meanwhile the presidents of Rwanda, Congo and Uganda started negotiations in the Ugandan capital Kampala to find a solution to the situation. Under the terms of an agreement reached some day ago, the M23 was given 48 hours to leave the town, but it refused to comply. The deadline was extended by 24 hours.
The military is making preparations for launching an attack when the deadline passes. General Olenga has stated that he would recapture Goma at all costs.
It is mainly the population that has to suffer the severe consequences of the armed conflict. The number of refugees is already over 100,000. They are streaming into Bukavu too, but are present in the greatest numbers in the area of Minova. As they are running short of supplies, the prospect of a humanitarian catastrophe is looming large.
(The author is a Hungarian military officer serving in Congo)
