DR Congo court issues arrest warrant for rebel leader Corneille Nangaa

Arrest Warrant Issued for Rebel Leader Amid Escalating Violence

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has issued an international arrest warrant for Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the Congo River Alliance, which includes the notorious M23 rebel group. The warrant, announced on Thursday, charges Nangaa with war crimes and treason for alleged massacres in the eastern regions of North Kivu and South Kivu. These atrocities, according to Congolese legislation and international law, constitute severe violations of human rights and global justice standards. The court has mandated Nangaa’s arrest wherever he may be found, with the aim of bringing him to Congolese territory to face trial. This legal action comes amid escalating violence in the region, which has left thousands dead and displaced, and has drawn widespread condemnation from the international community.

Violence Erupts in Goma, Thousands Displaced

The recent violence in Goma, a city of two million people in eastern DRC, has reached catastrophic levels. Two weeks ago, M23 fighters launched a major offensive against government forces, leading to intense clashes that have resulted in significant loss of life and displacement. On Wednesday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that at least 2,800 people have died in Goma due to the violence. Thousands more have been forced to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge in neighboring Rwanda. Among those displaced are staff members from international organizations such as the UN and the World Bank, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the conflict. The situation in Goma remains dire, with humanitarian agencies struggling to provide aid to those in need.

M23 Rebels Defy Ceasefire, Seize Control of Mining Town

Despite declaring a unilateral ceasefire on Monday, the M23 rebels have continued their aggressive actions, seizing control of Nyabibwe, a mining town in South Kivu province. This move, confirmed by local officials, civil society representatives, rebels, and an international security source, appears to be a direct violation of the ceasefire. DRC’s Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya accused the M23 rebels of breaking the ceasefire at night and stated that they are facing resistance from Congolese armed forces around Nyabibwe. The capture of Nyabibwe has further destabilized the region, raising concerns about the rebels’ intentions and the likelihood of a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Humanitarian Crisis Worsens Amid Renewed Fighting

The renewed fighting in eastern DRC has led to a worsening humanitarian crisis, with UN human rights experts sounding the alarm on Thursday about the deteriorating situation. The experts criticized reports of indiscriminate attacks, targeted killings, conflict-related sexual violence, forced conscription, and arbitrary arrests of displaced persons. In a statement, they emphasized that despite the recent unilateral ceasefire, displaced persons have no safe haven left, as the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC takes a deeply alarming turn. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, facing severe risks of gender-based violence. Additionally, the region is experiencing severe shortages of food, shelter, electricity, and drinking water, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

International Community Calls for Urgent Action

The international community has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. Speaking at UN headquarters in New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation as “deeply concerning” and called for urgent action to rally together for peace. “Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands forced from their homes. We also see the continued threat by other armed groups, either Congolese or foreign. All of this is having an enormous human toll,” he said. International Criminal Court prosecutors have also stated that they are closely monitoring events in the region after reports of possible war crimes in the battle for Goma.

Regional Leaders Seek De-Escalation and Peace

Regional leaders are actively seeking to address the crisis in eastern DRC. Rwandan President Paul Kagame reported that he had discussed the situation with European Council chief Antonio Costa and that they agreed on the need for effective de-escalation and a resolution to the conflict that ensures lasting peace. Kagame and his DRC counterpart, President Félix Tshisekedi, are scheduled to attend a summit of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, on Saturday. The United Nations Human Rights Council is also set to convene a special session on the crisis to discuss solutions to stop the violence and address the worsening humanitarian situation.