The recent agreement among the Defense Ministers of the seven East African Community (EAC) countries to prolong the presence of the EAC Regional Force(EACRF) in the DRC beyond September 8th has raised concerning questions about how the power-hungry Congolese ruler, Tshisekedi will respond. Will he embrace the offered assistance, or will he stubbornly cling to his ruthless plan to exploit the chaos in eastern DRC for his political gain?
Tshisekedi, who once begged on bended knees for EACRF’s assistance, has now taken a hypocritical U-turn. He’s become an outspoken critic of their presence, dropping hints that he prefers the Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops. He has raised objections about the EAC troops’ perceived lack of offensive action against the M23 Congolese rebels. Furthermore, he accuses them of establishing “buffer zones” that hinder the Congolese army’s efforts to escalate the conflicts by attacking the M23 Congolese mutineers.
Yet, the establishment of these buffer zones has served two purposes so far. First and foremost, it has stopped hostilities among the warring factions within the Congolese civil war. This multifaceted conflict pits the FARDC, bolstered by an array of violent armed groups including the tropical Nazi from FDLR, Mai-Mai militias, Nyatura, and Agamira mercenaries, against the M23 Congolese mutineers. Second, it appears to be a preemptive strategy to shield Tshisekedi from himself, as it becomes increasingly evident that he is itching for a full-blown war.
Tshisekedi’s political game plan is as cunning as it is heartless. He seems to believe that persisting in this brutal conflict, no matter the agony inflicted on his people and his military, will magically pave the path to his electoral victory. He wants to be the poster boy for a “military victory over the invincible true-force Rwanda that is the M23.” But there’s a sinister Plan B: if he loses, he’ll delay admitting defeat for as long as possible. That way, he can milk the chaos for all its worth and funnel state resources into his coffers under the guise of war spending!
In truth, Tshisekedi appears to be overlooking a critical reality: the EAC Regional Force (EACRF) stationed in eastern DRC, a region plagued by three decades of conflict, has demonstrated its capacity to enact significant change. Its intervention has effectively quelled the hostilities among conflicting parties, directing the course toward favoring dialogue as the foremost solution. This pivotal shift holds the potential to serve as a milestone, finally bringing an end to the distressing chapter in the Congolese people’s history. But a pressing question remains: Is Tshisekedi ready to seize this opportunity?
For now, the prevailing indications suggest otherwise, as his preference seems to lean toward perpetuating the conflict.
ellenkampire