75 Pakistanis Relocated to Rwanda Amid Escalating Conflict in Congo
The Foreign Office (FO) announced on Thursday that 75 Pakistani nationals have been relocated to Rwanda due to the escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The conflict, which has intensified following the M23 rebel group’s seizure of much of Goma in North Kivu province, has drawn regional and international concern. DRC’s president has vowed to take strong military action against the Rwandan-backed fighters who continue to advance in the region.
The situation in Goma, once home to 150 Pakistani nationals, has become increasingly dangerous. With the help of Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Kigali, Ambassador Naeemullah Khan, and Rwandan authorities, the relocation of 75 Pakistanis has been facilitated. The remaining citizens are also being assisted, and further evacuations are expected.
The Pakistani High Commission in Kigali is providing accommodation and food to the relocated individuals and is in contact with Pakistani citizens in the affected areas, including those in the nearby border city of Bukavu. The mission has also set up a dedicated WhatsApp line for any Pakistanis requiring assistance.
The conflict in the DRC, exacerbated by tensions with neighboring Rwanda, has sparked international calls for a ceasefire and peace talks. Meanwhile, the DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels in an effort to control the region’s mineral wealth. Both sides continue to escalate military actions, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the region.
International bodies such as the UN, the US, China, and the EU have urged Rwanda to withdraw its forces, while regional efforts to mediate peace, such as those by Angola, have not yet yielded results. The violence has already displaced hundreds of thousands and created severe food and water shortages in the affected areas.