NEW | Rwandan-backed M23 rebels are advancing towards Goma, a provincial capital in eastern DRC, and say they intend to capture the town. The move is a major escalation in the eastern DRC conflict and would exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the area.🧵 - ThreadSky

criticalthreats.bsky.social • 34 days ago

NEW | Rwandan-backed M23 rebels are advancing towards Goma, a provincial capital in eastern DRC, and say they intend to capture the town.

The move is a major escalation in the eastern DRC conflict and would exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the area.🧵

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Comments

whmapping.bsky.social•34 days ago

Tell me which side Russia is supporting and I’ll tell you who I’m rooting for.

oriel449.bsky.social•34 days ago

Well Rwanda's Kagame is an authoritarian scumbag who has cosy relations with Putin.

Also....

https://www.dw.com/en/rwandas-kagame-defends-russias-presence-in-africa/a-65372509

whmapping.bsky.social•34 days ago

So Russia backed Rwanda is attacking Western backed Congo?

oriel449.bsky.social•34 days ago

Probably a bit more complicated than that but broadly yes. The UN have an intervention force in the Congo fighting the M23 and a bajillion other rebel groups. They do actual war-fighting though as opposed to being neutral observers watching war crimes take place.

oriel449.bsky.social•34 days ago

Rwanda is another addition to the Nouveau Authoritarian club. Rwanda is actually doing well economically but the usual faustian pact with the authoritarian Kagame offering prosperity in exchange for curbs on civil liberties.

Naturally it's pally with Ru, China, UAE and other scummy regimes.

oriel449.bsky.social•34 days ago

That's not to say the DRC is a model of democracy and freedom. It's one of the world's poorest country with an equally poor record on human rights. Outsider meddling in Africa has been a constant blight on economic growth on the continent.

criticalthreats.bsky.social•34 days ago

M23 captured Minova on January 21 and Sake on January 23, which was the last major Congolese army (FARDC) stronghold before Goma. 2/8

criticalthreats.bsky.social•34 days ago

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and other DRC officials made emergency returns from foreign trips, and several countries including the US have called for their citizens to leave Goma.

This widespread and strong reaction signals fears of an imminent FARDC collapse around Goma. 3/8

criticalthreats.bsky.social•34 days ago

M23’s advances increase the risk of clashes between M23 and allied Rwandan forces and UN (MONUSCO) and SADC (SAMIDRC) forces that are supporting the FARDC.

Such engagements would increase the diplomatic and military costs for M23 and Rwanda to capture Goma. 4/8

criticalthreats.bsky.social•34 days ago

M23 advances into South Kivu province are also setting conditions for a potential offensive on Bukavu, the South Kivu provincial capital, which would significantly expand the conflict in the eastern DRC. 5/8

criticalthreats.bsky.social•34 days ago

M23’s advances will strengthen the group’s control over critical mineral resources and supply lines to Rwanda. 6/8

criticalthreats.bsky.social•34 days ago

The timing of the Rwandan-backed M23 offensive indicates an effort to maximize its position in currently paused negotiations after peace talks between the DRC and Rwanda collapsed in December 2024. 7/8

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