KINSHASA, Oct. 31 — A major conference on peace and stability in Africa’s Great Lakes region drew to a close in Paris on Thursday, with a particular focus on the protracted crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Despite high hopes, the gathering soon found itself beleaguered by the deep-rooted causes of a decades-old conflict. Mediation efforts have multiplied, yet progress remains paralyzed, with gunfire roaring and distrust sprawling among key stakeholders.

ATTENDANCE LETDOWN Initially envisioned as a high-profile summit, the high-profile summit was expected to draw top political and institutional figures, including several African heads of state directly involved in the DRC crisis.

“Throughout the Great Lakes region, conflict is once again spreading, infiltrating communities on both sides of the Congolese, Rwandan, Burundian and Ugandan borders,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in his opening speech Thursday.

However, only two African leaders were present, namely DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Faure Gnassingbe, president of Togo’s Council of Ministers and also the African Union-appointed mediator for the regional crisis.

Most other nations were represented by their foreign ministers or special envoys, including Rwanda, another central actor, represented by its Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.

For decades, eastern DRC has been the epicenter of recurring violence fueled by a web of local and cross-border conflicts. Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing the March 23 Movement (M23), a rebel group that controls large swaths of territory in eastern DRC, a charge Kigali denies.

Rwanda, in turn, accuses the DRC of collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a group implicated in the 1994 genocide. Since January this year, the M23, now part of a broader politico-military coalition known as the Congo River Alliance (AFC), has captured several strategic towns, including Goma and Bukavu.

In these areas, the rebels have installed parallel administrations, further undermining state authority and worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.

“This is not only a Congolese crisis, it is a regional one,” Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said in Paris. “It represents a collective failure of the international community to guarantee peace and human dignity, where they should be fundamental rights.”

BOLD WORDS IN DOUBT During the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the mobilization of 1.5 billion euros (1.74 billion U.S. dollars) in international assistance to address the humanitarian emergency.

He pledged to deliver food and medicine, reopen Goma airport to humanitarian flights, and establish secure aid corridors. But the bold declaration soon prompted a wave of skepticism.

In North Kivu province, Goma airport remains under the control of M23 rebels, who have made the city of more than one million residents one of their main strongholds in eastern DRC.

“Goma airport is in the hands of the M23 authorities … You cannot reopen an airport from Paris,” said Rwanda’s Nduhungirehe at the conference.

Hours later, the M23 itself responded, calling Macron’s announcement “inopportune, disconnected from realities on the ground, and made without prior consultation.”

Facing criticism, Barrot clarified that the initiative was part of an ongoing diplomatic process. “This international conference has provided an opportunity to accelerate discussions on this issue (the reopening of Goma airport), which will continue under Qatari mediation, with renewed momentum that begins here, from Paris,” the French foreign minister told journalists.

The matter, according to Barrot, will be discussed within the framework of the ongoing Doha process, the active communication channel between Kinshasa and the rebels under Qatari mediation.

DRC government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said the reopening of Goma airport would occur “only with authorization from DRC authorities and exclusively for daytime humanitarian flights.”

During a visit by Xinhua correspondents to Goma airport in September, signs of neglect were evident. Weeds had overrun the parking area, a stark contrast to the bustle that once defined this hub of domestic and international air traffic.

Despite limited cleanup work by the United Nations earlier this year, fragments of military equipment still littered the tarmac.

DISTRUST STIRS TROUBLED WATER Beyond aid pledges and promises of secure corridors, the peace conference sought to reinforce ongoing mediation efforts.

However, mutual trust between rival parties remains fragile. Barrot said that “humanitarian response alone is not enough.” Yet both on the battlefield and in diplomatic circles, distrust continues to deepen.

“The Doha talks mark the beginning of the M23’s political end,” DRC government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said in a media interview on Wednesday.

His comment drew a sharp rebuke from Benjamin Mbonimpa, one of the M23’s chief negotiators with the DRC government in Doha:

“Even the Qataris, known for managing difficult mediations, are astonished by the behavior of the Congolese delegation. It is simply surreal.”

Fresh fighting erupted Thursday in North Kivu’s Masisi territory, where M23 rebels reportedly regained control of the strategic town of Ndete.

Security sources cited by local media said several people were killed, and the situation remains volatile. Control of Ndete could allow the rebels to push deeper into the province.

Diplomatic tensions escalated further as in Paris, Rwanda’s foreign minister accused Kinshasa of “daily ceasefire violations” through airstrikes and drone attacks on M23 positions.

In response, Tshisekedi insisted that the crisis stems from “M23’s military actions, backed logistically, financially and operationally” by Rwanda.

“Any lasting peace must begin with the end of the occupation of DRC territory,” said the DRC president. On the humanitarian front, the situation remains dire.

According to the United Nations, more than 2.4 million people have been displaced since January 2025, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons to nearly six million.

Around one million Congolese have fled to neighboring countries, while 27 million people now face food insecurity. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, Oct. 31– At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin will travel to China from Nov. 3 to 4 for the 30th regular meeting between the Chinese and Russian heads of government, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Friday.

Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Russia relations have maintained high-level development, with cooperation in various fields showing positive, steady momentum, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular news briefing.

Guo noted that the regular meetings between the Chinese premier and the Russian prime minister are an important mechanism to promote the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and to coordinate practical cooperation between the two sides.

During the meeting, Li and Mishustin will comprehensively review cooperation progress in all directions, plan the next phase of cooperation, and have in-depth exchanges of views on issues of common concern, Guo said.

Noting that next year marks the 25th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, as well as the 30th anniversary of the strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries, Guo said that China hopes this meeting will enhance mutual trust, build further consensus and advance cooperation to inject stronger impetus into the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. (Xinhua)

ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 31 — The 11th edition of Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW), a renowned annual garment, apparel and textile fashion show, kicked off on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

Running from Thursday to Sunday, the event, the largest of its kind in Africa, showcases the capacity of Africa in the industry, highlighting its role as a hub for creativity, design and global sourcing options.

It brought together 210 exhibitors from Africa and different parts of the world. Speaking at the event, Skander Negasi, founder of the ASFW, said the exhibition not only displays fabrics, boots, handbags and dresses, but serves as a platform to show how Africa’s textile, leather and fashion industry could be an engine of sustainable growth and employment opportunities.

“Today, the textile and leather industry in Africa is entering a new era, one defined by modernization, sustainability and global competitiveness,” said Negasi, noting that textiles are not only clothes of African people, but also tell their histories, identities and cultures.

Kebour Ghenna, executive director of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said a major African textile revolution is still to come, considering the continent’s 1.4 billion population, rising middle class, urbanization and growing youthful population.

“Africa has a population of 1.4 billion people, and over 60 percent are under the age of 25. This is not just a market; it is the world’s next great consumer base and most dynamic workforce,” Ghenna said.

The ASFW is a testament to the dynamism and resilience of Ethiopia’s textile and garment sector and the growing importance of Africa as a sourcing destination for the global fashion industry, according to Nicholas Mudungwe, executive director at Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute.

“African countries are taking bold steps to improve the garment and textile business environment through cutting red tape, streamlining logistics and supporting better working conditions in factories to increase exports and create more jobs,” Mudungwe said.

According to the ASFW, Africa’s textile and apparel market is growing at five percent annually, contributing around 1.2 percent to the continent’s gross domestic product. (Xinhua)

GYEONGJU, South Korea, Oct. 31 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Friday that China is ready to work with Canada to bring China-Canada relations back to the right track of healthy, stable and sustainable development at an early date for the better benefits of the two peoples.

The two countries should foster objective and rational perceptions of each other, and view each other correctly, Xi said while meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

China is willing to enhance its coordination and cooperation with Canada within such multilateral frameworks as the United Nations, promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system, and safeguard international fairness and justice, Xi added.

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 31 — The UN Security Council on Thursday voiced grave concern over escalating violence in and around El Fasher in Sudan’s North Darfur state.

In a press statement, the members of the council condemned the assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher and its devastating impact on the civilian population.

They also condemned reported atrocities being perpetrated by the RSF against the civilian population, including summary executions and arbitrary detentions.

They expressed grave concern at the heightened risk of large-scale atrocities, including ethnically motivated atrocities. The council members called for all perpetrators of violations to be held accountable.

They demanded that all parties to the conflict protect civilians and abide by their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and to allow and facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access.

The council members reiterated that the priority is for the parties to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process.

They urged all UN member states to refrain from external interference that seeks to foment conflict and instability, to support efforts for durable peace, to abide by their obligations under international law and to implement relevant Security Council resolutions.

The council members unequivocally reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan.

In this regard, the Security Council reaffirmed its rejection of the establishment of a parallel governing authority in areas controlled by the RSF. (Xinhua)

SYDNEY, Oct. 31 — An unexploded ordnance (UXO) from World War II detonated in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara on Thursday night, injuring one.

Local newspaper Solomon Star reported that the device detonated as a result of a fire near a stadium in western Honiara on Thursday evening local time, causing a loud explosion.

One person, identified by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as a young man, was injured and taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Robert Iroga, a resident who witnessed the explosion, told the ABC that the incident caused a lot of panic. “A lot of people were running all over the place, and there was a big fireball in the air as a result of the blast,” he said.

The area was cordoned off as police and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists attended to investigate the incident. Ansa Puaraua, the officer in charge of the EOD unit of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, said on Wednesday that 6,121 UXOs were safely disposed of across the country in 2024.

According to Australia’s Department of Defense, the Solomon Islands remains littered with UXOs from World War II, including artillery shells, bombs, ammunition and torpedoes. (Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 30  — UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Pobee on Thursday called on the Security Council to take action to stop the relentless fighting in Sudan.

“As the conflict reaches yet another critical point, we must intensify our call for an urgent and lasting solution. Reports and warnings about the unfolding catastrophe in El Fasher have been issued for months,” she told the council in a briefing on the situation in Sudan.

“We must all play our part in helping to bring this devastating war to an end. We must stand with the people of Sudan who have suffered far too much for far too long,” she said.

Pobee called on the Council to use all the tools at its disposal to demand peace in Sudan. “We count on the council to lead the way.” She said the conflict in Sudan has deteriorated even further and has caused widespread suffering, with new surges of horrific violence.

After more than 500 days under siege, El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur state, has been captured by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Only small pockets of resistance remain, she said. Other parts of the country have not been spared from the relentless violence. In recent weeks, fighting has intensified in the Kordofan region, likely the next arena of military focus for the warring parties, she warned.

The city of Bara in North Kordofan, a strategic location for both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, was captured by the RSF last week. This marked another escalation on the ground, she said.

Drone strikes by both sides are impacting new territories and targets. These include Blue Nile, Khartoum, Sennar, South Kordofan and West Darfur, suggesting that the territorial scope of the conflict is broadening, she added.

Shifting military dynamics continue to shape the course of the conflict. The human cost is profound, Pobee said, adding that the risk of mass atrocities, ethnically targeted violence and further violations of international humanitarian law, including sexual violence, remains alarmingly high across the country, and particularly in El Fasher, she warned.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has once again called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan. “The parties must return to the negotiating table, in good faith,” said Pobee.

“They must pursue a sustainable resolution to the conflict. An immediate end to the fighting and sustained dialogue are needed to reverse Sudan’s spiraling descent into de facto fragmentation.” (Xinhua)