After fatal bombing attacks in which at least 30 Congolese were killed and others injured at the Mugunga-based Internal Displaced Camp, carried out by the Congolese army FARDC and its coalition, the SADC mission falsely attributed the attack to M23. It then announced the start of joint military operations with the Congolese army against M23.
By declaring a military operation against M23, SADC is violating the Luanda roadmap. The Roadmap which the international community still relies on as the only solution for everlasting peace in eastern DRC, highlights that political and negotiated solutions are only best option than military solutions.
But for the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) that has spent 7 months in DRC doing nothing, this is an opportunity to use military power, to add fuel to the ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC.
The UN Security Council and many powerful countries such as France, USA, the UK, EU, etc, insist that the conflict in eastern DRC will be solved by dialogue and negotiation, not by using powers because they have realized that the M23 is of no joke, but SADC with their interest with Tshisekedi want to keep fueling the war by causing humanitarian crisis.
The SAMIDRC contingent was deployed last december with a mission to eradicate all rebel groups but they have selectively opted to work with FDLR, and Wazalendo while fighting only the M23. Today it is difficult if not impossible for the SADC to operate in North Kivu without initiating the wazalendo armed groups mixed with FDLR, this exacerbates tensions in Kivu rather than resolving them.
This collaboration strengthened these armed groups’ wazalendo mixed with FDLR in weapons and munitions of war by increasing their capacity to fight against the civilians. The Luanda roadmap stipulates political dialogue as a way to lasting peace instead of a military solution, even the Easter African regional forces that were replaced by SADC, their mission was to create a way for negotiation but not militarily.
Last week The Tshisekedi regime released a statement condemning the attack committed by its army in Mugunga threatening to Leave the Luanda roadmap, to many observers, this decision will continue to push SADC to launch military operations in few coming days.
The international community must know that the SADC mission is not a peacekeeping mission, but a mineral’s deal between SADC and DRC. There has been no peace as SAMIDRC aims to resolve conflicts militarily, unlike EACRF’s approach. Despite regional leaders’ advice for a political solution, the Congolese president opted for a military approach with SADC. This latter approach is worsening the situation.
ellenkampire