Every Minute Without Action Strengthens the M23, says Thérèse Kayikwamba

Congolese forces, with the support of UN and SADC troops, are fighting to protect the city and its civilians. Wagner highlighted that more than three million civilians

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, head of Congolese diplomacy at UN security council

Fierce fighting continues between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the M23 rebels, who are allegedly backed by Rwanda. At the United Nations, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, head of Congolese diplomacy, once again urged the Security Council to take action in a conflict that affects not only the DRC but also Africa and the international community.

An Urgent Call for Action

Speaking before the UN Security Council in New York on January 25, 2025, Wagner stressed the gravity of the situation. She highlighted that the victims of this aggression are not just Congolese citizens but include people from different nations.

“This attack is not only against the DRC but against Africa and humanity as a whole. Rwandan bullets do not discriminate; they strike South Africans, Tanzanians, Malawians, Burundians, Uruguayans — all individuals who came here in the name of peace,” she stated.

She warned that the conflict directly targets not just the DRC but also the UN peacekeepers.

“Every minute that passes without a decisive response from this Council strengthens the aggressor and weakens the credibility of the United Nations. Hesitation is a victory for the enemy and a tragedy for innocent people. It is time to act,” she insisted.

Clear Violation of Sovereignty

Wagner accused Rwanda of carrying out an open and deliberate act of war, stating that its military forces had crossed border markers 12 and 13, entering Congolese territory in broad daylight.

“At this very moment, an attack of unprecedented magnitude is taking place before the world's eyes. Rwandan forces have violated our national sovereignty in an act of frontal aggression,” she declared.

She further warned that Rwanda is preparing for a large-scale massacre, reminiscent of the atrocities committed in 1996.

In Goma, Congolese forces, with the support of UN and SADC troops, are fighting to protect the city and its civilians. Wagner highlighted that more than three million civilians, along with humanitarian workers, are trapped, being used as human shields in a brutal strategy of terror.

“Rwanda is orchestrating a massacre in broad daylight, a horror that echoes the darkest chapters of our history. Every passing hour brings our region closer to an unimaginable tragedy. We cannot allow the nightmare of 1996 to repeat itself,” she emphasized.

Security Council Must Fulfill Its Duty

Wagner called on the UN Security Council to act in accordance with its responsibilities under the UN Charter. She stressed that this is not just another conflict but a systematic and deliberate attack on a sovereign nation, violating international law and threatening global peace and security.

“History has placed us here today, in this chamber where the fate of nations is decided. Indifference and hesitation cannot be tolerated. The DRC expects the UN Security Council to take firm and urgent measures to restore peace and uphold international law,” she urged.

Rising Tensions in Goma

The situation in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, remains highly volatile. The M23-AFC-RDF coalition is determined to seize control of the city, while the Congolese government vows to defend it at all costs.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Kinshasa still hopes for a diplomatic resolution. In a decisive move, the DRC has recalled its diplomats from Rwanda and instructed the Rwandan embassy in Kinshasa to take note of the consequences. This decision follows a meeting of the High Council of Defense, chaired by President Félix Tshisekedi upon his return to the capital.

As tensions escalate, the world watches closely, waiting to see if the UN will take the necessary steps to address this growing crisis.