According to a diplomatic note, the United States has threatened sanctions against Rwandan and Congolese officials ahead of a summit aimed at resolving the escalating conflict in eastern Congo. Kinshasa and Kigali have blamed each other for the recent violence in the region, where M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have seized the regional capital, Goma, and are expanding their territory.
In a note sent to Kenya on Friday, the United States emphasized that achieving regional stability will necessitate Rwanda’s military withdrawing its forces and advanced weapons from Congo. The note also stated that Washington could impose sanctions on those who refuse to cooperate, including military and government officials from both countries.
A high-level summit of Eastern and Southern African leaders, set to begin Friday in Tanzania, is expected to bring together Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Congo, the United Nations, and other Western nations have accused Kagame of arming and supporting the M23 rebels, but Rwanda has denied the allegations.
In July, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on the Congo River Alliance, a rebel coalition that includes M23. After seizing Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, last week, M23 took control of another mining town on Wednesday, advancing towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, and violating a unilateral ceasefire they had declared.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that at least 2,800 people have died in the recent violence in Goma. U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk also warned that sexual violence, including rape and sexual slavery, is expected to rise in the region.
