Heavy fighting in the DRC
The crisis that has been smouldering for decades in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo is now coming to a head: the M23 rebel group, supported by neighbouring Rwanda, has overtaken the regional capital Goma. UN peacekeepers have been caught in the crossfire, aid programmes have been suspended and 400,000 people have fled their homes, according to the UN. Riots have also been reported in the capital Kinshasa. What can Europe do?
Permanent war in a country rich in raw materials
The West must not forget this country, writes the Tages-Anzeiger:
“Anyone under 30 - and that means most people in this young country - has never experienced real peace. One of the biggest and most enduring humanitarian disasters of our time is playing out in eastern DRC. ... The fact that the region is simply unable to achieve peace is not least due to its mineral resources – tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold, which are needed for the production of mobile phones, computers and batteries. In the rich northern hemisphere, companies are earning huge profits with these devices. In the DRC, most people see nothing of this wealth - and they see armed struggle as the best chance to get a slice of their country's underground riches.”
No more imperialist games!
De Volkskrant warns the EU not to back the wrong side:
“Most of the raw materials in Congo are tainted with blood, and everyone knows it. It is therefore remarkable, to say the least, that the EU is trying to gain access to these materials through a partnership with Rwanda. Of course, the EU is also trying to succeed in the global race for raw materials, but it must be careful not to become once again guilty of engaging in imperialist games in which economic interests prevail over everything else. These natural resources belong to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the country must be supported in selling them in a way that also benefits its population.”
Rwanda copying Russian tactics
Rwandan President Paul Kagame is using the same tactics Putin has employed in Ukraine since 2014, writes The Economist:
“The M23 rebels are armed, supplied and directed by [Rwandan] regime. They claim to be protecting Congolese Tutsis from persecution, but this threat is exaggerated. M23 is in fact a proxy for Rwanda, allowing it to grab a big chunk of Congolese territory while pretending not to. ... Following the Donbas model, Rwanda has informally created something that looks a lot like a puppet state on Congolese soil. ... Some Western diplomats worry that Mr Kagame ultimately aims to topple the Congolese government. This is not merely illegal and wrong. It is a worrying symptom of a decaying international order.”
Reprimands are not enough
The international community must penalise Rwanda to prevent the conflict from spreading, writes The Guardian:
“Germany has sent a welcome signal by suspending aid talks with Rwandan officials. Other European nations and the US should follow suit. Sanctions and travel bans could also be adopted to press for an end to fighting and the creation of humanitarian corridors. Countries are finally calling out Rwanda over its role in this disaster. But with so many lives at stake, more than words are required.”