Mukwege warns ceasefire in Eastern DR Congo may prove fragile

Yesterday 15:00

By: Sahili Aya

Mukwege warns ceasefire in Eastern DR Congo may prove fragile

Congolese physician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege has cautioned that a potential ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo could amount to little more than a temporary pause in fighting. Speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Mukwege expressed concern that past agreements have repeatedly collapsed.

“For three decades, we have witnessed recurring wars followed by ceasefires that are soon broken,” he said, warning that any new truce risks becoming a short-lived arrangement rather than a lasting peace.

The Congolese government recently announced it had accepted the principle of a ceasefire in the country’s conflict-ridden east, though no implementation date has been confirmed. Meanwhile, the armed group M23, which Kinshasa accuses of receiving support from Rwanda, has questioned the government’s intentions.

Eastern Congo, a region rich in natural resources and bordering Rwanda, has endured cycles of violence for more than 30 years. Several ceasefires have been signed since the resurgence of the M23 rebellion in late 2021, but most have failed to hold.

Mukwege, who was awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against sexual violence used as a weapon of war, emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions rather than short-term arrangements. He argued that the country requires a genuine national dialogue to address governance challenges and ensure better protection for civilians.

“If governance were stronger, the Congo would be better equipped to protect its population and manage its vast mineral wealth,” he said, highlighting concerns that the country’s resources are often exploited amid instability.

He also regretted that the crisis in Congo received limited attention in Munich, describing it as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies that remains largely overlooked.