Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/suspected-congolese-soldier-killed-after-crossing-border-rwanda-ministry-2022-11-19/
Rwanda’s defense ministry and the Congolese army stated that a Congolese soldier who had crossed the border between the two countries had been shot and killed by Rwandan troops. Rwanda claims that the individual began firing upon Rwanda Defense Force guard towers. Congo issued a report stating that the soldier was a new recruit and might have become lost and wandered across the border during a night patrol. They also stated that an investigation had begun. Congo and Rwanda relations are very strained currently, with Congo accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group that has recently resurfaced and have been battling the Congolese government for over 10 years. An accusation that Rwanda has repeatedly denied. The rebel group has clashed several times with the Congo military, displacing thousands. Neighboring powers such as Kenya have been working to reduce tension between both countries.
I covered the M23 rebel group resurgency a few weeks ago when I gave a report on their recent advances. It is true that relations between Rwanda and Congo have been extremely tense and this new occurrence does nothing to ease them. Congo has been recruiting a number of civilians into their military in attempts to slow the rebels advance. It seems likely that one of these new recruits, many with little to no training and experience, accidentally crossed the border between both countries and fired upon the Rwandan guard towers. Unfortunately, I do not see an immediate end to this conflict, and situations like this are likely to continue.
This relates to our class discussion. especially when considering how Rwanda and the neighboring countries come into play. War is seldom profitable for all involved; Kenya and other african countries, recognise that this war will only cause economic and military decline and have decided to try and prevent the conflict. Africa is a multipolar continent, as such, the countries that share borders rely on each other for protection, they do not want two of these countries set against each other and inches from war.