UN SC team wraps up DRC visit, calls for dialogue to end M23 rebel conflict – The North Africa Post

Because the UNHCR has warned of escalating violence in North Kivu province, within the Democratic Republic of Congo, that has compelled practically 300,000 folks to flee the area final month, a United Nations Safety Council delegation wrapped up a three-day go to to the nation on Sunday March 12, stressing the pressing must discover a political answer to finish the raging M23 insurgent battle.

The M23 insurgent group has just lately seized much more swathes of territory within the DRC’s North Kivu province, prompting United Nations Refugee Company (UNHCR) spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh to warn of a rising humanitarian disaster, the place preventing between authorities forces and armed teams has prompted a whole lot of 1000’s of individuals to flee. M23 fighters have additionally superior in latest days, threatening to chop off all highway hyperlinks to Goma, a metropolis of a couple of million folks on the Rwandan border. Preventing between Congolese forces and the M23 — which is allegedly backed by Rwanda — has displaced over 800,000 folks, in line with the UN.

In the meantime, the UN Safety Council delegation met Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi within the capital, Kinshasa, earlier than touring to Goma on Saturday, March 11. In Goma, the workforce held talks with native officers, civil leaders and toured a displaced individuals’ camp.

The Safety Council go to got here after the collapse of an Angola-mediated cease-fire, which was on account of take impact final Tuesday. A number of earlier peace initiatives have additionally failed.

On Saturday, shelling throughout M23-army clashes killed 5 civilians in Kahumiro, 120 kilometers north of Goma, in line with safety officers and native residents.

The DRC authorities accuses Rwanda of backing the M23. Unbiased U.N. specialists, america, and several other different Western states have additionally concluded that Rwanda helps the Tutsi-led group. Kigali denies the cost.

A number of ambassadors to the UN, together with Gabon’s Michel Xavier Biang, pleaded for dialogue as the one strategy to clear up the battle and confused that diplomacy should prevail.