The UN has condemned Rwanda's role in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. But the United Nations refuses to act.
“The United Nations cannot regulate everything in place of local authorities, nor can they regulate the behavior of neighbors”. This, in essence, is the message sent by the United Nations (UN) to Kinshasa after the end, yesterday, of its mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nicolas de Rivière, the French ambassador to the UN, delivered a clear message, which recognizes, but above all condemns the aggression of the DRC by Rwanda, in eastern Congo. If the words are clear, however, this should not lead to UN action.
This condemnation by the UN is however a step forward for Kinshasa, which feels a little less alone. “There is no longer any need to demonstrate that Rwanda supports the M23. On the other hand, it is also clearly established that there are incursions by the regular Rwandan army into North Kivu. This too is unacceptable”, indicated the French diplomat, who is currently proposing simple sanctions: “There is pressure, coercive measures which are taken among others against the leaders of the M23. This is a strategy that will continue and expand and to which we are committed”.
But the UN will not intervene in the region. Not right away anyway. For Nicolas de Rivière, his role is, for the moment, to protect civilians. And it is up to the DRC to deal with the incursions and the advance of the M23, despite the role played by Rwanda. “Acting against the groups is mainly the responsibility of the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, editor's note). That of Monusco is to protect civilians. It is important to remember this because things must be clearly said and the respective responsibilities recalled and established”.
And now ?
Initially, there must be a dialogue between Kinshasa and Kigali, recommends the UN Security Council. The framework agreement for peace and security in eastern DRC, which was signed in February 2013 in Addis Ababa, must also be implemented, insists the United Nations, which sees in this text "the compass of international action”.
The international organization will therefore take sanctions against the leaders of the M23. Nothing that does not make Felix Tshisekedi smile again. However, the Congolese president can be proud of having obtained a diplomatic victory: a few days after the passage of Emmanuel Macron in the DRC, he has just obtained a clear and clear condemnation of Rwanda by the UN. Sure, but now? Rwanda is not threatened by the UN and can therefore continue to support the M23 rebels without fear of UN action.
Kinshasa therefore hopes, after words, actions. But the words of Nicolas de Rivière leave little room for optimism: apart from a few sanctions and the protection of civilians, the UN does not seem to want to get bogged down in this conflict. For Rwanda, the message is therefore clear: nothing prevents Kigali from continuing its offensive. Worse, the condemnation by the UN of its role in the conflict could provoke an escalation of violence.