Congolese ruler Tshisekedi snubs the US-brokered ceasefire, plunging the war-torn Kivu provinces into further chaos. The ceasefire, announced by White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson, aimed to end the ongoing 6th civil war between FARDC and the M23 Congolese political-military movement in the Kivu provinces of the DRC. Tshisekedi, however, sees this as a threat to his political aspirations, viewing the Kivu conflicts as his winning horse in the upcoming presidential elections on December 20, 2023.
In a blatant display of defiance, Tshisekedi’s “Loyalist” army (FARDC) released a statement yesterday, asserting the absence of any orders for the proposed 72-hour ceasefire even after 48 hours had passed since it was supposed to take effect. Tshisekedi’s strategic violations serve a dual purpose – not only do they sabotage the ceasefire, but they also offer him a convenient excuse to kick his propaganda machine into high gear, spinning tales of “Rwanda aggression” fabricated straight from Tshisekedi’s fantasyland.
Furthermore, Tshisekedi’s alliance, consisting of FARDC, FDLR, APCLS, PARECO, NYATURA, CODECO, Mai-Mai, and a motley crew of mercenaries, is flouting the US-brokered ceasefire, persisting with war operations that include artillery shells, heavy combat aircraft, and SUKHOI bombings deliberately being used to target the displaced Congolese population seeking refuge in M23-controlled areas – individuals fleeing the atrocities committed by Tshisekedi’s coalition.
Moreover, Tshisekedi is intensifying the unnecessary conflict in the Kivu provinces, with all the unfortunate repercussions for the well-being of Congolese civilians, notwithstanding the announced US ceasefire aimed at de-escalation. This strategy arises from a short-sighted perspective, aiming to create the illusion that Tshisekedi can achieve victory on the battlefield and that his regime can artificially construct realities to bolster the legitimacy it lacks. As long as this approach persists, hindering genuine peace for the Congolese people, every ceasefire or peace agreement will be a part of the farce we have all witnessed since Tshisekedi assumed power.
In conclusion, it is valid to question who benefits from prolonging the Congolese crisis. Tshisekedi does, as demonstrated by his belligerent stance since spring 2022, lean towards a military resolution to the crisis, with all its consequences for the lives of Congolese civilians. Ironically, as Tshisekedi’s coalition continues its attacks on M23 positions, the M23 retaliates, launching counter-offensives and seizing control of additional localities. In reality, Tshisekedi’s insistence on the war front, in the face of repeated failures, aligns with Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.
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