The DRC and Rwanda adopted an important document last week for the continuation of the peace process in eastern DRC. For three years, we have witnessed in this region a resurgence of the M23, a rebellion supported by neighboring Rwanda, which has seized entire swathes of the territory at the expense of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and the militias that support them. Angola was appointed mediator by the African Union. And it is within the framework of the Luanda process that this document was adopted.
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From our correspondent in Kinshasa,
At the beginning of last week, the heads of diplomacy of the DRCof Rwanda and theAngola were in Luanda for a new round of discussions during which they adopted a document. This document is what we call a “Concept of Operations” (Conops) of the harmonized plan. It is a text which focuses on the operational and which foresees the different stages of an often military operation.
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In the case of the DRC and Rwanda, it is a document developed by military and intelligence experts. “ It is an important operational document, insists one of the participants in these discussions, who will truly launch operations on the ground “.
A four-phase plan
This plan is supposed to take place in four sentences and should take place over approximately three months. First phase: fifteen days to analyze the level of threat posed by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group originally composed of Rwandan Hutu genocidaires. The objective is to locate their positions and take stock of their equipment. At the same time, Rwanda must provide information on what qualifies as “ defensive measures » and commits to putting an end to its cross-border incursions.
Second phase, these are targeted actions to neutralize the FDLR and their allies, followed by a joint evaluation of the progress made. Third step: a review of operations in order to measure effectiveness. Finally, we will move on to the fourth phase, that of stabilization with the demobilization of former FDLR members and the normalization of relations between Kinshasa and Kigali. And throughout this process, a verification mechanism must be put in place by Angolan mediation.
Negotiations around a peace agreement
But this Conops does not prevent the continuation of discussions between the two countries, because it is ultimately only an operational document. According to several sources, the day after the signing, the foreign ministers returned to their respective capitals, then met by videoconference to continue their negotiations. It is no longer a question of negotiating an operational text, but of a peace agreement. This document was proposed in August by Angolan President João Lourenço to his Congolese and Rwandan counterparts.
At the time, everyone had made their comments and it is again on this document that the heads of diplomacy are working. A text which must address, unlike the Conops, the central question of this conflict, that of M23. As a reminder, the Luanda process had already established a road map in the first months of the conflict which provided for a ceasefire, the pre-cantonment of the rebels in Rutshuru and their cantonment in Kindu in Maniema. All under the supervision of the Angolan military. We will have to see if these steps resurface in the peace plan on which the heads of diplomacy of the three countries are working.
Moreover, the M23 declared itself not bound by the CONOPS signed in Luanda. The armed group continues to demand direct negotiations with Kinshasa.