Congo’s President Tshisekedi Calls for Sanctions Against Rwanda Amid Tensions

President Félix Tshisekedi of Congo has called for sanctions against Rwanda, accusing the neighboring country of destabilizing the region. Explore the growing tensions and potential international responses.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi urged the international community on Wednesday to impose sanctions on Rwanda due to its involvement in the “destabilization” of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Tshisekedi stated, “The resurgence of the M23 terrorist group, which is backed by Rwanda, has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis,” noting that over 7 million individuals in the DRC have been displaced internally as a result of the ongoing conflict.

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Previous reports from UN experts have indicated that there are between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops operating in the Congo alongside the M23 rebel group, which has been engaged in hostilities with Congolese forces for the past decade.

The President called upon the UN to “enhance its efforts to implement the recommendations” of the global coalition against the Islamic State, of which the DRC is a participant, and expressed concern that terrorism “appears to be becoming entrenched in Africa.”