Congolese rebels pull out as UN urges foreign restraint

CONGOLESE rebels said they were starting to pull out of the eastern city of Goma as the United Nations again called for an end to foreign support for the fighters to prevent the conflict spreading across the volatile region.

By InvestSMART · 30 Nov 2012

By InvestSMART ·
30 Nov 2012

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The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is demanding sanctions against its neighbour Rwanda over its alleged backing for the M23 rebel group, which swept across the resource-rich east of the central African country last week.

A French-drafted resolution passed at the UN meeting said the Security Council would consider sanctions against more M23 leaders and "those providing external support", although it did not name any country.

The government of the DCR also accused the M23 of widespread looting in Goma, while the Red Cross reported that it had buried dozens of people whose bodies were found in the streets after the rebels' capture of the city more than a week ago.

An M23 military commander, Sultani Makenga, said the rebels would start returning to positions 20 kilometres from Goma, in line with a deal struck in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, although the UN said their movements were unclear.

A government spokesman, Lambert Mende, said the rebels had plundered buildings "from top to bottom" in Goma and taken the loot - including trucks, mineral stocks and even a morgue refrigeration system - to Rwanda.

The United Nations accuses Rwanda, and to a lesser extent Uganda, of aiding the rebels, charges both countries vehemently deny.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What happened in Goma and who are the M23 rebels?

The article says M23 rebels captured the eastern city of Goma and later said they were starting to pull out. M23 is an armed rebel group that swept across parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s resource-rich east the week before, with a military commander named Sultani Makenga quoted about their movements.

Why is the United Nations calling for an end to foreign support for the fighters?

According to the article, the UN urged an end to foreign support to prevent the conflict from spreading across the volatile region. The Security Council discussion included concerns about external backing that could escalate the fighting.

Has the Democratic Republic of Congo accused any countries of supporting M23?

Yes. The DRC government is demanding sanctions against neighbouring Rwanda over alleged backing for M23. The United Nations also accuses Rwanda, and to a lesser extent Uganda, of aiding the rebels — accusations both countries strongly deny.

What UN action was proposed in response to the M23 situation?

A French-drafted resolution passed at the UN meeting said the Security Council would consider sanctions against more M23 leaders and against ‘those providing external support’. The resolution did not name any specific country.

Did the rebels actually withdraw from Goma as they claimed?

The article reports that an M23 commander, Sultani Makenga, said the rebels would start returning to positions about 20 kilometres from Goma under a deal struck in Kampala, Uganda. However, the UN said the rebels’ movements were unclear.

Were there reports of looting and civilian casualties in Goma?

Yes. The DRC government accused the M23 of widespread looting in Goma. Government spokesman Lambert Mende claimed looted items — including trucks, mineral stocks and even a morgue refrigeration system — were taken to Rwanda. The Red Cross said it had buried dozens of people found in the streets after the rebels’ capture of the city.

How might unrest in eastern DRC affect investors interested in minerals or natural resources?

The article notes the conflict unfolded in the DRC’s resource-rich east and mentions looting of mineral stocks. For investors, that signals potential supply disruption, security risks around extraction and transport, and the possibility of political or sanction-related impacts — all factors to monitor closely.

What should everyday investors watch next in the M23–Goma situation?

Based on the article, investors should follow UN statements and any Security Council moves on sanctions, monitor credible reports on rebel movements and security in eastern DRC, track government and neighbouring-country responses (DRC, Rwanda, Uganda), and watch for news about looting or disruptions to mineral supply chains.