Current:Home > MyUS asks Congo and Rwanda to de-escalate tensions as fighting near their border displaces millions-LoTradeCoin
US asks Congo and Rwanda to de-escalate tensions as fighting near their border displaces millions
View Date:2024-12-23 20:18:47
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Rwanda and Congo to de-escalate tensions and withdraw troops from their border following increased fighting that has displaced nearly 7 million people.
Blinken spoke separately by phone with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame about the “volatile situation and worsening humanitarian crisis along the border,” the State Department said.
Its statement said Blinken advocated for a diplomatic solution to the tensions.
Fighting between M23 rebels and militias loyal to the Congolese army has intensified in the eastern Congo provinces of Ituri, North and South Kivu and Tanganyika.
The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels who have taken control over swathes of territory in eastern Congo. U.N. experts have said they had strong evidence that Rwanda’s army was fighting alongside the rebel group. Rwanda has rejected the accusations and instead accused Congo’s army of shelling villages in Rwandan territory along the border.
The International Organization for Migration has described the situation as the largest internal displacement and humanitarian crisis in the world.
Thousands of civilians have been killed. Millions have been displaced internally. Hundreds of thousands have fled into neighboring Uganda.
“For decades, the Congolese people have been living through a storm of crises,” Fabien Sambussy, IOM’s chief of mission in Congo, said earlier. “The most recent escalation of the conflict has uprooted more people in less time like rarely seen before.”
Congo is expected to hold presidential elections next month, but there are concerns that the escalation of violence in the east will affect the polls in which Tshisekedi seeks another term.
veryGood! (3945)
Related
- John Krasinski Revealed as People's Sexiest Man Alive 2024
- Possible Vanderpump Rules Spin-Off Show Is Coming
- There are even more 2020 election defamation suits beyond the Fox-Dominion case
- Prices: What goes up, doesn't always come down
- A pregnant woman sues for the right to an abortion in challenge to Kentucky’s near-total ban
- Whatever His Motives, Putin’s War in Ukraine Is Fueled by Oil and Gas
- The Fate of Protected Wetlands Are At Stake in the Supreme Court’s First Case of the Term
- Venezuela sees some perks of renewed ties with Colombia after years of disputes
- Special counsel Smith asks court to pause appeal seeking to revive Trump’s classified documents case
- Michael Jordan's 'Last Dance' sneakers sell for a record-breaking $2.2 million
Ranking
- Nelly will not face charges after St. Louis casino arrest for drug possession
- Proof Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker Already Chose Their Baby Boy’s Name
- Some Jews keep a place empty at Seder tables for a jailed journalist in Russia
- Whatever His Motives, Putin’s War in Ukraine Is Fueled by Oil and Gas
- Vegas Sphere reports revenue decline despite hosting UFC 306, Eagles residency
- Climate Envoy John Kerry Seeks Restart to US Emissions Talks With China
- Jaden Smith Says Mom Jada Pinkett Smith Introduced Him to Psychedelics
- How one small change in Japan could sway U.S. markets
Recommendation
-
Miami Marlins hiring Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as manager
-
Championing Its Heritage, Canada Inches Toward Its Goal of Planting 2 Billion Trees
-
The EPA proposes tighter limits on toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants
-
The inverted yield curve is screaming RECESSION
-
Early Black Friday Deals: 70% Off Apple, Dyson, Tarte, Barefoot Dreams, Le Creuset & More + Free Shipping
-
Vivek Ramaswamy reaches donor threshold for first Republican presidential primary debate
-
Newly elected United Auto Workers leader strikes militant tone ahead of contract talks
-
Gloomy global growth, Tupperware troubles, RIP HBO Max