Tshisekedi declares war on M23 Rebels, accuses Rwanda of military involvement
He accused Rwanda of deploying "thousands of soldiers" into eastern DRC, intensifying tensions between the two neighbours.
For the first time since M23 rebels seized Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi has issued a direct threat of war against the group and the Rwandan military, vowing a decisive response to the escalating conflict in eastern DRC.
"Faced with this situation, allow me to reassure you: a vigorous and coordinated response against these terrorists and their sponsors is underway," Tshisekedi declared in a defiant evening address to the nation on Wednesday.
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Instead of attending the East African Community (EAC) emergency meeting convened by Kenyan President William Ruto, Tshisekedi opted to deliver a strong national address, declaring that Kinshasa "will not let itself be humiliated or crushed".
He accused Rwanda of deploying "thousands of soldiers" into eastern DRC, intensifying tensions between the two neighbours.
Earlier in the day, Tshisekedi had travelled to Luanda for talks with Angolan President João Lourenço, a key mediator in the regional crisis.
His visit came as Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused Lourenço of sabotaging the Luanda Process — a diplomatic initiative aimed at restoring peace in the region.
Meanwhile, East African leaders attending the crisis meeting called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, urging the Congolese government to engage in direct talks with all stakeholders, including the M23 rebels, to find a political solution to the conflict.
However, Kinshasa has repeatedly dismissed calls for negotiations with the rebel group, further complicating the prospects for peace.
With Tshisekedi's hardline stance and regional divisions deepening, the conflict in eastern DRC risks escalating into a broader confrontation, raising concerns over stability in the Great Lakes region.
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