KINSHASA, Nov 4, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Democratic Republic of Congo President
Felix Tshisekedi called Thursday for young people to form "vigilance groups"
in the face of M23 rebel activity in the east of the country.

Tshisekedi repeated in an address broadcast on national television that the
M23 operated with "the support of Rwanda", which he accused of harbouring
"expansionist ambitions".

A mostly Congolese Tutsi group, the M23 resumed fighting in late 2021 after
lying dormant for years, accusing the Democratic Republic of Congo's
government of failing to honour an agreement to integrate its fighters into
the army.

The group's resurgence has destabilised regional relations in central Africa,
with the DRC accusing its smaller neighbour Rwanda of backing the militia.

Tshisekedi said Rwanda had set its sights on "appropriating our minerals".

"To do this, it is working to destabilise eastern Congo to create a lawless
zone to satisfy its criminal appetites," he said.

He added that diplomatic efforts to ease tensions have not led to "any
tangible result".

The conflict, he said, would require "sacrifice", as well as "the engagement
of all of (the nation's) daughters and all of its sons".

"In response to the strong demand from the youth, I invite them to organise
themselves into vigilance groups with a view to propping up, accompanying and
supporting our armed forces".

Tshisekedi also renewed his call for young people to enlist in the army,
while cautioning against "stigmatisation of Rwandophone communities".

The M23 went back on the offensive in late October after several weeks of
calm, grabbing multiple localities along an important road serving the
strategic eastern city of Goma.

The DRC announced on Sunday that it was expelling Rwanda's ambassador, while
also recalling its own envoy from Kigali earlier this week.