🔥 Tensions are heating up in Eastern Africa, and the UN is stepping in! United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres picked up the phone on Tuesday to chat with the presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, hoping to cool down the escalating conflict between the two nations. 📞🌍
Guterres didn't mince words. He emphasized the urgent need for Rwanda to stop supporting the M23 rebels and to withdraw any forces from the DRC. The M23, a rebel group causing major turbulence, has taken control of parts of Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. 😱🏙️
While Rwanda denies any involvement with the M23, the situation on the ground tells a different story. Civilians are caught in the crossfire, and Guterres stressed the importance of protecting them during his calls with the leaders. 🚨👥
Over the weekend, the UN chief released a statement expressing deep concern over the escalating violence. He demanded that the M23 rebels cease all hostile actions and withdraw from the areas they've occupied. ✋🕊️
The UN's spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, painted a grim picture of the current situation in Goma. \"The city is tense and fluid,\" he reported. M23 forces are inside Goma, and UN peacekeepers have been forced to take shelter in their bases. Medical facilities are overwhelmed, and essential services have been disrupted. 🏥⛔
The rebels now control the airport, and clashes continue in multiple regions, displacing countless civilians. There's a real risk of lawlessness due to the proliferation of weapons, and reports of prison escapes and looting are surfacing. 🔫🚓
The humanitarian crisis is deepening. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says hospitals can't keep up with the number of wounded. Ambulances are being targeted, and there are alarming reports of gender-based violence and looting of property, including humanitarian warehouses. Electricity and water supplies are cut off, making life even harder for those caught in the conflict. 💔🚰
Many non-essential UN personnel have been relocated for safety, and protests in Kinshasa have turned violent, with demonstrators targeting UN premises and several embassies. It's a tough situation all around. 😔🌆
Still, there's hope. If calm returns, aid workers are ready to jump back in and address the enormous humanitarian needs. The world is watching, and the UN is pushing hard for peace. Let's hope their efforts pay off. ✨🤞
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UN chief speaks with presidents of Rwanda, DRC over conflict
cgtn.com
