Security:
The security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains dire as the various rebel groups continue their violent campaigns, especially in the eastern region where the majority are concentrated. The groups include M23, CODECO, and the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP). The strained relations between DRC and Rwanda, have seemingly deteriorated further in a conflict that has caused a significant displacement of people, with over 600,000 people being displaced since the start of the conflict. The M23 rebel group is a faction that emerged from the Congolese army and has been accused of receiving support from the Rwandan government.
- A United Nations Security Council delegation arrived in DRC for a three-day visit to assess the security and humanitarian situation in North Kivu amid the deteriorating security situation in the province. The council is also expected to assess the effectiveness and challenges that are faced by both the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission and the dissatisfaction of the civilians who have been calling for its termination in recent weeks through protests.
- ISCAP continues to wreak havoc and panic among the residents with recent attacks amercing larger casualties an indication that the group may be resurging despite the increased military presence in North Kivu. The group had seemingly taken a backseat in the past couple of months as the violence by M23 took center stage.
- M23 rebels announced the taking effect of a ceasefire that had been brokered by the Angolan president only for it to be broken mere hours after the official communique. On the same day as the ceasefire compliance announcement, clashes were reported in some villages in Masisi territory, North Kivu.
- In a move that appears to have aggravated the tensions between the neighbors further; Rwandan soldiers shot dead a Congolese soldier who crossed the border and shot at security forces. The soldier crossed into western Rwanda from the Grande Barriere border post outside the city of Goma and shot at RDF soldiers. The situation triggered a brief exchange of fire between the two sides, Rwanda’s Defense ministry.
- Burundi deployed its troops to Eastern DRC as part of EACRF; the troops are to deploy in Sake, Kilolirwe, and Kitchanga in North Kivu as approved by the Heads of State mini-summit held in Addis Ababa on 17 Feb 23. The arrival of the troops in the region seeks to address the immediate threat posed by M23 and other Armed Groups in the region.
- The US has accused Rwanda of deploying troops to DRC, adding blame to Kigali’s role in violence in the vast neighboring country. In a statement issued Washington was asking Kigali to adhere to regional peace initiatives by withdrawing support for armed groups in the DRC but also suggested Kigali had illegally deployed troops to the country.
- The US State Department’s Rewards for Justice program placed a $5 million bounty on Musa Baluku. Musa Baluku the leader of ISCAP has been conducting violent atrocities against civilian and security targets in North Kivu and Ituri Provinces. The terrorist leader has become an integral part of the Islamic State’s networks in East, Central, and Southern Africa.
POLITICAL
- Congolese Tutsis have expressed fear stirred by what they describe as a violent campaign to intimidate them from voting in the upcoming elections. The situation is dire to the extent of the Tutsis require police protection to register as voters, receiving anonymous leaflets warning them not to vote as well as outright physical violence against them urging them to return home and give up on voting.
- President Felix Tshisekedi urged visiting French President Emmanuel Macron to pursue international sanctions against Rwanda for its alleged military support to M23 rebels. Several leaders in DRC accused Macron of supporting Rwanda as he has maintained silence on the ongoing issues, they prompted the French president to openly condemn Rwanda for their support of the M23 rebels. He warned of sanctions if peace efforts are derailed by any party as he supported regional efforts to come up with conflict resolution strategies for the unrest and violence in the eastern region.
- Macron also pledges $36 million in humanitarian aid for the conflict-hit Democratic Republic of Congo following his trip to the DRC.
Economic
- The European Union announced an initial investment of €50m in D critical minerals sector and DRC’s infrastructure projects. The funding was announced at the first-ever Kinshasa Economic Forum, which brought together the DRC, the EU, and France. Its strategic minerals including lithium, cobalt, manganese, and rare earths needed for electric vehicles and wind turbines are essential for the green energy transition shift.
- Despite the current security situation that has been affecting the country’s economic growth; DRC’s economy is nonetheless on an upward trajectory, with 6.1% GDP growth in 2022, and is projected to achieve 6.7% this year according to IMF’s latest figures.
