The African Union (AU) has issued a stern warning against the potential breakup of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), expressing deep concern over the ongoing conflict in the country’s eastern provinces.
This warning comes just days after the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group seized control of a second city, intensifying violence in the region. Bankole Adeoye, the AU’s Peace and Security Commissioner, emphasized the urgency of maintaining the territorial integrity of the DRC.
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“We do not want to see the balkanisation of eastern DRC,” Adeoye stated during a press briefing in Addis Ababa. His remarks come after M23 forces, having already taken the provincial capital Goma in late January, advanced further south.
“The violence in the region has sparked fears of wider regional instability, affecting neighbouring nations as well.
AU CallS for Removal of M23 and Their Supporters
The AU is demanding immediate action to expel the M23 fighters and their backers from the towns and cities they have taken, including the strategic Goma airport.
Adeoye made it clear that such military occupation threatens the sovereignty and unity of the DRC, and it is crucial for peace in the region that all foreign-backed groups withdraw promptly.
While not directly naming Rwanda, which has been accused of supporting the M23 rebels, Adeoye’s statement encouraged respect for the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This call for action aligns with international concerns as the conflict escalates and pressure mounts for diplomatic and military solutions to prevent further destabilization.
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