The president of Congo has announced his commitment to forming a unity government as violence escalates in the eastern region and criticism of his handling of the crisis mounts.
In his first comments since Rwandan-backed rebels seized control of key cities in eastern Congo, President Felix Tshisekedi addressed the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition on Saturday, calling for a focus on unity over internal conflicts.
“I may have lost a battle, but not the war. I need to engage with everyone, including the opposition. A national unity government will be formed,” Tshisekedi remarked, although he did not elaborate on its composition or timeline.
The M23 rebels, the most prominent among over 100 armed groups vying for power in eastern Congo, have swiftly advanced, capturing crucial cities and leading to approximately 3,000 fatalities.
In a rapid three-week offensive, the M23 took control of Goma, the primary city in eastern Congo, and also seized Bukavu, the second-largest city.
U.N. experts report that the rebels are supported by around 4,000 Rwandan troops and have threatened to push all the way to Kinshasa, the capital, which is situated over 1,000 miles away.
Rwanda has accused Congo of enlisting ethnic Hutu fighters associated with the 1994 genocide against Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
The M23 asserts that it is protecting Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan descent from discrimination and aims to modernize Congo, although analysts argue that these claims serve as mere pretexts for Rwanda’s involvement.
On Saturday, Tshisekedi paid tribute to fallen soldiers and vowed to bolster the military.
