Authorities in Rwanda have rejected calls by the U.S. government to withdraw its troops and missile systems from eastern Congo as clashes escalate in the region. Rwanda is accused of supporting the M23 militia. The intensifying conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army and M23 has disrupted food supply lines to the eastern city of Goma, impacting more than 2 million people.

Esperance Nyota: “This will result in famine, because all of us in Goma depend on the Minova road for agricultural products. They must do everything to reopen this road. I am convinced that opening this road will resolve the problem, and everything will be fine. The country’s authorities must do everything in their power to end the war. It’s sure that after the war, everything will be fine. They must do everything to end this war.”

Congolese protesters have called out Western countries’ complicity in the worsening violence and humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo as millions have been displaced.