UN Reminds M23 Rebel Conflict In Congo Could Trigger Regional War

JAKARTA - United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the M23 conflict in eastern Congo is at risk of turning into a wider regional war.

Fighting raged more fiercely in the eastern region of the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo since the beginning of this year when the Tutsi-led M23 group controlled more territory than ever before, causing thousands of people to flee their homes.

Congo and the United Nations accuse their neighboring country, Rwanda, of triggering a three-year M23 insurgency with their own troops and weapons. Rwanda denies this.

"This attack has had a negative impact on civilians and has increased the risk of a wider regional war," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The United Nations calls on all interested parties to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"And ending all forms of support for armed groups," Dujarric said.

After capturing the city of Minova on Tuesday, M23 fighters continued their movement, moving to the city of Sake, about 20 km (12 miles) from the provincial capital of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo.

A national military spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the situation in Sake on Thursday, but a UN statement condemned Sake's recent residence, which raised threats to the city of Goma.

M23 had succeeded in taking over Goma in the previous uprising in 2012, prompting international donors to stop aid to Rwanda.

Even so, the rebels do not have as much power as they have now.