Dancehall entertainer Spragga Benz is using his platform to call for peace between Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda where fighting between the M23 armed rebels and Congolese soldiers has killed more than 900 people and injured thousands in recent days.
Spragga Benz took to Instagram, expressing dissatisfaction and condemning the actions of the warring nations. Referring to the promising progress across the continent, Spragga reminded Rwandans and Congolese that there are no winners in these wars amongst ourselves. He urged the two countries to cease all fighting, further cementing his call for a cease fire by tagging the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame. Spragga alluded to the African leader’s ability to use his powers to stop the actions, if peace and preserving life is his wish for all Africa.
The mineral-rich east of the DRC has been dogged by conflict for more than 30 years, since the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Numerous armed groups have competed with the central authorities for power and control of the potential fortune in this vast nation.
Fighting erupted last week between the two nations. The UN said at least 900 people have been killed and 2,880 injured in recent fighting. The M23, which is made up of ethnic Tutsis, say they are fighting for the rights of their minority group, while DR Congo’s government says the Rwanda -backed- rebels are seeking to exploit the eastern region’s vast mineral wealth. The alliance of rebel groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has since declared a humanitarian ceasefire starting today.
