Heavy fighting in the DRC
The conflict that has been smouldering for decades in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo is now coming to a head: The rebel group M23, supported by neighbouring Rwanda, has captured Goma and announced that it also intends to "liberate" the capital Kinshasa. UN peacekeepers have been caught in the crossfire, aid programmes had to be halted and 400,000 people have fled. What can the international community do?
Denmark must bring its influence to bear
The armed conflict in Congo has its origins in neighbouring Rwanda, Politiken comments, calling for Danish intervention:
“Rwanda's great strength lies in its political stability. This has made it a favoured partner for many Western countries, including Denmark, which has signed an asylum cooperation agreement with the country. Hence Denmark should now put pressure on Rwanda and its powerful President Paul Kagame to withdraw from the Democratic Republic of Congo. ... In 2023 we gave just under 100 million kroner [13.5 million euros] in aid to Rwanda. We have influence in Rwanda. Now is the time to use it. Germany and the UK have just threatened to cut off their aid. Denmark should do the same.”
Exert pressure and name names
Le Monde stresses the need for external intervention:
“Whether or not by chance, this offensive coincides with Donald Trump's imperialist discourse. It risks igniting a region that is already marked by widespread violence, and where the United Nations maintains its largest and oldest peacekeeping mission. To make progress on the solution of the deadly conflict that has flared up in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is essential for the United States to put pressure on Kigali, as Barack Obama did in similar circumstances in 2012. But before that can happen, the protagonists must first be named, something the international community has so far avoided.”
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.”