According to the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda supports the terrorist group responsible for the latest attacks in the east of the country, the M23. Accusations, documented by Kinshasa, which have caused an escalation of tensions between the two neighboring countries.
The March 23 movement (M23) is "undoubtedly and unequivocally supported by Rwanda". This is what emerged from the last Council of Ministers of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), chaired by Felix Tshisekedi, last Friday.
On the same day, Kinshasa suspended all flights of the Rwandan company RwandAir to the DRC. The Rwandan Ambassador was also summoned by Congolese Foreign Minister Christophe Apala, who warned him.
Last Wednesday, two Rwandan soldiers were arrested by Congolese villagers in the Biruma region, close to the common border between Rwanda and the DRC. If Kigali accuses the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) of having “kidnapped” the two soldiers, the Congolese army maintains that the two soldiers supported the M23. The terrorist group, inactive since 2013, was responsible for four deadly attacks in eastern DRC during the month of May.
The Congolese government also claims to have recovered Rwandan military equipment during an operation against the M23 in the Kivu region. Namely outfits of the Rwandan Armed Forces (RDF) and weapons whose serial numbers have been revealed - which correspond to those used by the Rwandan army.
Is a diplomatic solution between Rwanda and the DRC possible?
Clashes also took place on the border between Rwanda and the DRC last Saturday, in Rugari and Kibumba. They would have opposed on one side the FARDC and the blue helmets of MINUSCO, and Rwandan soldiers and elements of the M23 on the other.
A rise in tensions that disrupted thethe African Union (AU) Summit, which ended on Saturday in Malabo without a closing ceremony. Senegalese Foreign Minister Aïssata Tall Sall said Senegalese President and African Union Chairman Macky Sall was in contact with his Congolese and Rwandan counterparts.
“We have good hopes of at least being able to silence the guns while waiting to arrive at the politico-diplomatic solution in the most urgent way in this sensitive part of Africa where there are already many problems. humanitarian and human rights. We must do everything so that it does not get worse,” the diplomat said. Even if, on the other hand, she affirms that “everything can go wrong”.
A mediation, led by the President of Angola João Lourenço, will take place in the following days. However, the context does not seem very suitable for a reduction in tensions between neighboring countries.
Alarmed by reports that Rwanda is again supporting M23 rebels fomenting violence, attacking DRC troops, UN peacekeepers, and civilians. We must investigate and sanction those responsible. https://t.co/yMgHP4JvMV
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee (@SFRCdems) May 28, 2022
Kabila and Tshisekedi pass the buck
Indeed, since the beginning of the mandate of Félix Tshisekedi in the DRC, the Congolese head of state has tried everything to calm the tensions - historical - with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame. The latter, however, continued, in his statements, to provoke Kinshasa.
Read: Paul Kagame: "Whoever wishes us war, we give it to him"
Politically, Tshisekedi has often been chastised for his attempts to normalize with Kigali. Currently, the condemnation of the Rwandan role in the terrorist attacks of the M23, by his government, looks more like an attempt to clear himself.
The Common Front for Congo (FCC), the political platform supporting Tshisekedi's predecessor, Joseph Kabila, has accused the government of complicity with Rwanda and the M23. The FCC also demanded "clear explanations of the military and economic agreements signed with Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya" from Tshisekedi and his government.
Tshisekedi's party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), responded to the accusations on Saturday in a statement. "No one is unaware that it is Kabila who, through the mechanism of insertion, reintegration, brought into our army Rwandan officers and Rwandan soldiers who continue to pose problems for our country", accuses the party. presidential.
In reality, the responsibility of successive Congolese leaders for the state of grace enjoyed by the M23 in recent years is shared. During Kabila's tenure, the M23, and its military leader Bosco Ntaganda – the Terminator – controlled much of Goma in eastern Congo, unmolested by law enforcement. Then, during Félix Tshisekedi's presidential race, the leader of the political wing of the M23, Pastor Jean-Marie Runiga, campaigned for Tshisekedi. Neither has Kinshasa officially accused the M23 of murder of Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio in February 2021. Pastor Runiga is also very close to the current government, and tried to integrate the M23 into the recent “Nairobi reintegration process”.