Following the closure of the Francophonie summit in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron has asked Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to engage in dialogue with the M23 militia – movement purely of Congolese. Macron, just like so many other leaders whether in Europe or Africa, views dialogue between Kinshasa and M23 as the only way to achieve sustainable peace in eastern DRC. Furthermore the French head of state underscored the necessity of the DRC government to dismantle the FDLR militia.
This was during a press conference fielded by Macron, who took a question about why “he didn’t include the DRC in the same context as crises in Ukraine and Gaza during his opening address.” Macron emphasized the importance of reviving the political process involving M23 and other local armed groups. He also insisted that the DRC must cease its cooperation with the FDLR, which has been implicated in genocidal activities.
Despite signing regional peace agreements, including the Nairobi Process with other regional leaders, Tshisekedi’s government has petulantly refused to negotiate with M23, childishly insisting on labeling them as “terrorists.” (though Kinshasa acts in fact are worse than terrorism in eastern DRC, they are ethnic cleansing).
However, even the international community is fed up with Tshisekedi’s games, recognizing M23 as a group fighting for a legitimate cause: the rights of Congolese people.
Macron’s call for negotiation shocked Tshisekedi, who left the summit visibly flustered and empty-handed. What a dolt!
Macron focused on the truth, pointing out initiatives such as the Luanda peace process as one area the Congolese have failed, having signed it but refused to implement. Macron also noted Rwanda has shown readiness to fulfill its commitments, while the Congolese government has consistently obstructed any peace process.
Recent leaked documents from Kinshasa’s intelligence services have revealed disturbing orders, including directives to halt all actions against FDLR (a major factor of instability in the east of DRC, but which the Tshisekedi gang is allied with).
Tshisekedi’s (Kinshasa) acts show they have very little commitment to peace.
But they are lying only to themselves.
ellenkampire