NEW DELHI: The
United States
has strongly criticized the escalating violence in the
eastern part
of the
Democratic Republic of Congo
(
DRC
) and has attributed it to the M23 armed group, which it claims is receiving support from Rwanda.
In a statement issued by the US State Department, M23 was urged to immediately cease hostilities and retreat from its current positions near Sake and Goma.
The statement also condemned Rwanda's alleged backing of the M23 rebels and called for the immediate withdrawal of all Rwandan military personnel from the DRC.
The presence of surface-to-air missile systems was deemed a threat to the safety of civilians, as well as peacekeepers, humanitarian workers, and commercial flights in the region.
Rwanda, however, denies any involvement with the rebels. The United States also called upon the DRC to support confidence-building measures by discontinuing cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda armed group.
The recent clashes between M23, the army, and pro-M23 self-defense groups have resulted in mass displacements of communities. South Africa has announced its plan to deploy 2,900 troops as part of the Southern African Development Community's efforts to assist Congo in combating rebel groups.
English (US) ·