Sultani Makenga, the rebel leader of M23, broke his silence on Thursday July 6. In a video, he spoke for the first time since the resurgence of the armed movement in 2022 and assured that he continues to demand a dialogue with Kinshasa. The same day, Felix Tshisekedi received his South African counterpart. Cyril Ramaphosa spoke of negotiation as a solution to the conflict in eastern DRC. But the Congolese president was very firm: negotiate, yes, but not with the M23.
Rwanda “ lives from its repeated attacks on the DRC “says Felix Tshisekedi. ” This instability economically benefits Rwanda, which nevertheless denies any involvement in the conflict. This is why it is very difficult to discuss with Rwanda “, he continues.
The Congolese president adds that in addition, Kigali ” ridicules » the DRC by sending a « small group of individuals “which he describes as” puppets ” and of ” auxiliaries of the Rwandan army to discuss with a legitimate and recognized government. Another argument put forward: there is no question for Kinshasa of falling back into the failings of the past, namely negotiating with armed groups which, some time later, take up arms again.
Regarding the crisis in the east of the country, President Tshisekedi said that “this sustained instability benefits enormously and economically #Rwanda“. “We observe how the strength of the#EAC will behave by September. That of the #SADC remains pending,” he concluded. pic.twitter.com/xH3P2DYmf6
– DRC Presidency 🇨🇩 (@Presidence_RDC) July 6, 2023
No change of line either on the side of Sultani Makenga. In an interview granted to an independent journalist, the military leader of the rebel group M23 spoke from Jomba, in Rutshuru, a locality near Bunagana, an area under the control of the East African Community (EAC). He believes that the M23 “ did his part “. Implied: to withdraw from part of the occupied territories. In return, he therefore demands a direct dialogue with Kinshasa. A request made by the movement since the start of the offensive.
Without dialogue, Sultani Makenga also ensures that his movement does not feel ” never concerned by the cantonment and disarmament process agreed at the last EAC summit on May 31.
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