Synopsis
In response to escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Korea is set to impose a travel ban on North Kivu Province. This decision comes as conflict between government forces and the M23 rebel group intensifies, prompting heightened alerts and advisories for citizens in the region.Key Takeaways
- South Korea issues a Level 4 travel ban for North Kivu Province.
- Level 3 advisory remains for other areas in the DRC.
- The M23 rebel group is in conflict with government forces.
- President Tshisekedi promises a vigorous response to the M23's advances.
- UN expresses deep concern over the situation in South Kivu.
Seoul, Jan 31 (NationPress) South Korea has announced plans to impose a travel ban on an eastern province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to escalating violence between government and rebel forces, according to the foreign ministry's statement on Friday.
The Level 4 travel ban, which is the highest tier in the country's four-level travel warning system, will be effective starting Saturday in North Kivu Province of the Central African nation, as reported by the ministry.
South Korea will continue to maintain a Level 3 alert and special travel advisory for other regions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A Level 3 alert suggests that citizens should consider leaving the area.
Recently, the Central African nation has experienced unrest as the M23 rebel group engages in armed conflict with government forces, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
On January 30, Felix Tshisekedi, the President of the DRC, vowed a strong response to the advancements of the M23 rebels in eastern DRC, amid ongoing peace negotiations by regional organizations.
During his national television address, Tshisekedi stated that action is underway to reclaim every part of DRC territory. The M23 has claimed to have taken control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, which is a significant regional hub.
Since Sunday evening, intense hostilities have been reported throughout Goma, which has a population of around 1 million residents, including more than 700,000 internally displaced individuals living in already challenging conditions.
Reports indicate that M23 rebels seized several crucial installations on Monday, including the airport, the port, and a local DRC army base.
The United Nations has also expressed serious concerns regarding the M23 rebel group's movement towards South Kivu province, according to a spokesperson.
“We are profoundly worried about the situation in South Kivu, which remains highly unstable, with credible reports indicating that the M23 is advancing rapidly towards the city of Bukavu,” stated Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during a daily briefing. Bukavu is the capital of South Kivu province.
“Our colleagues in the peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) reported cross-border movements of the Rwanda Defence Force in that region,” he added.
Last year, MONUSCO withdrew from South Kivu under a revised Security Council mandate at the request of the DRC government.
Dujarric also mentioned that clashes have been reported between the M23 rebels and the Congolese armed forces, along with allied forces, south of Minova in South Kivu.
“Our colleagues expressed concern about humanitarian and security risks, particularly regarding potential inter-ethnic conflict, in the absence of UN peacekeeping forces in that region,” he concluded.
