Conflict in the DRC: “Everyone must take their responsibilities, including Rwanda”, says Macron
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) must “not be a spoil of war”, according to Emmanuel Macron, traveling to Kinshasa this Saturday as part of his African tour. The European Union announced at the end of the morning the establishment of a humanitarian air bridge towards Goma, with the support of France, to help the populations of the east of the country, prey to armed groups.
The airlift will be put in place “rapidly” and “will make it possible to deliver humanitarian aid in the form of medical and food products as well as a series of other emergency products, in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners. humanitarian aid”, also indicates a press release from the European Commission, published earlier in the morning.
Agreement on a ceasefire next Tuesday
The province of North Kivu, in the east of the DRC, is affected by the resurgence of the mainly Tutsi rebellion of the M23 (“Movement of March 23”). Having remained dormant for almost ten years, she took up arms again at the end of 2021.
The President of the Republic wants to be encouraging: according to him, all the actors in the conflict have “provided clear support” for a ceasefire “next Tuesday”. However, he pointed the finger at Rwanda, accused by Kinshasa of supporting the M23 rebellion, which has been corroborated by UN experts, although Kigali denies it. “Everyone must take their responsibilities, including Rwanda,” Macron thunders. “No looting, no balkanization, no war,” he said to the M23.
47 million in European aid
The EU has also announced the release of aid of 47 million euros, through its humanitarian partners, in order to cover the immediate needs of local populations in terms of food, health care and sanitation facilities in particular.
“The EU is ready to mobilize all the means necessary to support humanitarian workers, including logistics and air, in order to meet the needs of the population in the Democratic Republic of Congo”, declared the Commissioner in charge of the management crises, Janez Lenarcic.
“With this humanitarian airlift operation organized with the support of France and the new mobilization of funds, we reaffirm our support for the most vulnerable,” he added.
