US Secretary of State Urges Rwanda, Congo to De-escalate Border Conflict Amid Largest Global Displacement Crisis

Secretary Antony Blinken calls for diplomatic resolution as tension between Rwanda and Congo, fueled by accusations of Rwanda's support for M23 rebels, leads to war, millions displaced and a looming threat to Democratic Republic of Congo's upcoming presidential elections.

• U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urges Rwanda and Congo to withdraw troops from their border to de-escalate growing tensions that have displaced 7 million people.
• Blinken held separate phone conversations with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic solution.
• The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, who have gained control over various territories in eastern Congo. U.N. experts suggest they have strong evidence that Rwanda's army is fighting alongside the rebels; Rwanda denies these claims.
• Fighting between M23 rebels and militias loyal to the Congolese army has intensified in the eastern Congo provinces of Ituri, North and South Kivu, and Tanganyika.
• The escalated conflict and resulting mass displacement, described as the world's largest internal displacement and humanitarian crisis by the International Organization for Migration, raises serious concerns for the upcoming presidential elections in Congo.

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