The U.S. State Department callsup on the leaders in Uganda and Rwanda (and Congo) to step up and do something. It’s in their ‘hood after all. And things aren’t good in this corner of the Congo:
The United States is gravely alarmed by the rapid deterioration of the security situation in eastern DRC. We condemn the renewed military campaign by the M23 rebel group, which is an affront to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and in violation of international law. We call for a ceasefire, and for the M23 to return Goma to DRC authorities and pull back to their July positions.We call upon all states to use their influence on the M23 to bring about an immediate end to the hostilities. We urge Presidents Kabila, Kagame, and Museveni to engage in a direct and honest dialogue in pursuit of a political resolution to the immediate hostilities. We believe it is critical that any resolution to the crisis include holding the M23 leadership accountable for their human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law.
via Security Situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
BBC reporter Gabriel Gatehouse is on the ground in Goma. You can listen to his report from earlier today here but you might also want to follow his Twitter feed.
Gatehouse quote: “The main power is the power of the gun…”
Meanwhile, for a terrific piece that sets up the context and geography, see this National Geographic article from a year ago.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in the Congo several weeks ago to attend the bi-annual summit of La Francophonie in Kinshasa.
In the House of Commons today, Harper was challenged by NDP leader Thomas Mulcair about that visit. Here’s the exchange in the language in which it happened:
L’hon. Thomas Mulcair (chef de l’opposition, NPD): … Aujourd’hui, à la République démocratique du Congo, des dizaines de milliers de civiles fuient la violence près de la ville de Goma. Les agressions sexuelles sont devenues une arme de guerre. Or, le Canada des conservateurs ne démontre aucun leadership en Afrique.
Selon la nouvelle politique étrangère du premier ministre, obtenue par Radio-Canada, les considérations économiques prendront le dessus sur nos valeurs canadiennes de paix, de démocratie et de droits de la personne.
Quelles sont leurs priorités? Profiter financièrement des marchés émergents en Afrique malgré la souffrance innommable ou promouvoir la démocratie et la sécurité comme étant des préalables?
Le très hon. Stephen Harper (premier ministre, PCC): Monsieur le Président, c’est tout le contraire. Je suis récemment allé au Sommet de la Francophonie, qui avait lieu à la République démocratique du Congo, où j’ai exprimé notre position concernant la violation des droits de la personne. Dans ce pays, j’ai rencontré des représentants de la société civile et de l’opposition pour leur démontrer notre appui.
Aussi, nous avons annoncé la mise sur pied de programmes pour appuyer les mesures de paix et d’aide envers les populations vulnérables. Ces priorités demeurent bien importantes pour la République démocratique du Congo et d’autres pays dans le monde.
At 10:20 ET this evening, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued the following statement:
“Canada is deeply concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the forced displacement of 650,000 civilians since April.
“We unequivocally condemn the acts perpetrated by the rebel group M23 and call for an end to its aggressive actions against Goma and the surrounding area.
“These attempts by armed groups and others to destabilize the country and occupy its territory are unacceptable. We remain committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We call on any and all support to M23 to cease immediately. Neighbouring countries must work together to resolve the crisis.
“Canada continues to call for all parties to respect human rights and allow for the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian assistance.”
Under Canadian law, sanctions on the leaders of M23 are now in effect against those designated by the United Nations Security Council.