Why West is unable to rein in Rwanda’s with economic sanctions to force its army out of eastern Congo
The United States disbursed $180 million in foreign aid to Rwanda in 2023. The World Bank’s International Development Association provided nearly $221 million the same year. And in the years ahead, the European Union has pledged to invest over $900 million in Rwanda under the Global Gateway strategy, its response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Destination Kinshasa: Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo threaten to storm DRC capital, take power
“We want to go to Kinshasa, take power and lead the country,” Corneille Nangaa, one of the political leaders of M23, said during the briefing. He did not indicate how the rebels planned to advance on the capital, more than 1,500 kilometres (nearly 1,000 miles) away.
UN agencies warn ‘imminent’ outbreak of cholera, mpox, measles and malaria in eastern Congo’s North Kivu will kill thousands
Before M23 fighters closed in on Goma, more than 700,000 internally displaced people lived around the provincial capital. But hundreds of thousands fled in anticipation of clashes between the Rwanda-backed rebels and DRC troops, prompting renewed alarm about the further spread of deadly disease.
M23 capture of Goma city in eastern Congo reveals hodgepodge of foreign mercenaries in mineral-rich province
At a border crossing between Goma and its Rwandan twin city of Gisenyi, journalists saw dozens of Romanian mercenaries, who had been hired by Congo to bolster its defences, crossing the border into Rwanda – the start of their journey back home, one said.
Out of sight, out of mind: Refugee agencies scramble after Trump orders a stop on federally funded work
The federal refugee program – a form of legal migration to the US – has been in place for decades and assists those who have escaped war, natural disaster or persecution. Despite longstanding support for accepting refugees, the program has become politicized in recent years.
Emboldened Rwanda-backed M23 rebels set eyes on expansion of control after overrunning eastern Congo’s capital
Soldiers fighting for Congo – many of them mercenaries from other nations – were laying down their weapons at the border with Rwanda. Congo’s army seemed to be in disarray and those at the border appeared disorganised and ill-equipped for fighting.
Kenya’s health minister warns Africa must prepare for aftershocks of US’ exit from WHO, funding pause
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa pointed out that achieving this goal requires strengthening components of health security and ensuring the implementation of Universal Health Coverage that guarantees affordable, accessible, and quality care for all.
Thousands of refugees, surrendering Congolese soldiers and stranded truckers flock into Rwanda
An escalation of the three-year insurgency in Congo since the start of the year has forced around 400,000 people from their homes. As in previous security crises in the rebel-torn region, some refugees have headed to Rwanda even as Congo and the United Nations accuse the neighbour of fuelling the conflict with its own troops and weapons.
Fall of Goma is game-changer: World powers’ reluctance to take on Rwanda means it’s going to be harder to push back M23 from Congo
A reluctance by world powers to take on Rwanda, other global distractions and on-the-ground military realities will complicate efforts to defeat the rebels in Goma and across eastern Congo and allow millions of civilians, like Nzambonimpa, to return to their homes, analysts and diplomats say.
Arrest warrants: Perpetrators of crimes against humanity in Sudan’s West Darfur are on ICC prosecutor’s radar
Two decades ago, Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias against populations that identify as Central or East African. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes.
