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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Tuesday, February 18, 2025, sought military assistance from Chad to help counter the growing threat posed by the M23 rebel group. The move signals Kinshasa’s increasing desperation as the insurgents, whom the Congolese government accuses of receiving support from Rwanda, continue to gain ground in the volatile region.
A high-level Congolese delegation, led by the Minister of Regional Integration, traveled to N’Djamena to meet with Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. While Chad’s presidency acknowledged the meeting in a brief online statement, it provided no details about the discussions. However, sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Congo formally requested military and diplomatic support from Chad.
A senior Chadian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the request was under consideration but stressed that no final decision had been made. A source at the Congolese presidency also confirmed the appeal but did not specify what form the assistance might take. Neither Congo’s presidential spokesperson, Tina Salama, nor Chad’s government spokesman, Gassim Cherif, responded to requests for comment.
The resurgence of the M23 rebellion has destabilized eastern DRC, leading to widespread displacement and a humanitarian crisis. The rebels, originally a faction of former Congolese soldiers, have been accused of carrying out attacks on civilians and seizing key territories. The Congolese government has long blamed Rwanda for backing the group, a charge Kigali denies. Diplomatic interventions, including regional peace efforts led by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), have so far failed to halt the violence.
Chad, which has historically played a key role in regional security, faces a delicate decision. Although it has previously deployed troops in conflict zones across Africa, its foreign minister recently dismissed reports of sending forces to the DRC as “pure speculation.” However, Kinshasa’s direct appeal for military assistance may test N’Djamena’s willingness to engage in yet another regional conflict.
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