UK Summons Johnston Busingye as Kigali-Backed Rebels Seize Cities Congo

The UK government has summoned Rwanda's top diplomat, High Commissioner Johnston Busingye,over the recent actions of M23 rebels in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

These rebels, known as the M23 group, supported by Rwanda have taken control of key cities in eastern DRC, such as Goma and Bukavu. Reports from the United Nations suggest that around 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are aiding these terrorist rebels of M23.

A spokesperson from the UK's Foreign Office stated: "The UK strongly condemns the advances of the Rwandan Defence Force and M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. These actions are an unacceptable violation of DRC's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Rwandan government must immediately withdraw all its troops from Congolese land. We urge Rwanda to stop all hostile activities and engage in peace talks led by African nations."

Additionally, the head of the UN's human rights office has accused the M23 rebels of serious crimes, including the killing of children and attacks on hospitals and aid storage facilities.

The eastern part of the DRC has faced ongoing conflict since the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, after which many Hutus fled into this region. Rwanda claims that the DRC's government has incorporated some of these Hutus, who were involved in the genocide, into its military, a claim the DRC denies.

The M23 group asserts that it is fighting to protect Tutsis in eastern DRC from discrimination. Some experts believe the group aims to seize power in Kinshasa, the DRC's capital, located nearly 1,000 miles to the west.

Recently, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned of a potential humanitarian disaster in eastern DRC, as hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing due to the M23's actions.

These events highlight the aggressive and destabilizing role of President Paul Kagame's regime in the region. Despite international condemnation, Rwanda continues to support rebel groups that violate the sovereignty of neighboring countries and commit severe human rights abuses.