This Monday the localities of Luke and Katobotobo in North Kivu’s Masisi territory fell under the control of M23/AFC forces. That was after early morning clashes with Wazalendo militias that had conducted a series of military provocations.
The confrontations are not isolated events. They form part of a growing pattern of calculated provocations by FARDC and its set of lawless allied militias like the genocidal FDLR, Wazalendo bandits, elements of the Burundian army, FDNB, and some mercenaries. The idea was to provoke, or test the patience and capacity of M23.
What we are witnessing in North Kivu is mirrored in the South. In Uvira, South Kivu, Tshisekedi’s regime has been stockpiling weapons and building a coalition that publicly declares its intentions to “recapture” Kavumu, Bukavu, and Goma. These are not defensive measures, nor are they responses to any incursion. They are offensive postures, deliberately orchestrated to trigger confrontation, shout nationalistic slogans and create a scapegoat in Rwanda.
The agreements reached in Washington and Doha were not mere diplomatic rituals. They were meant to offer a roadmap toward de-escalation and peaceful reintegration. But while M23 has shown restraint and openness to dialogue, Kinshasa has done the opposite, rearming militias, recruiting genocidaires, and publicly violating ceasefire terms.
The tragedy is that international actors, who claim to monitor the situation, remain conveniently silent. The UN mission MONUSCO continues to pretend it is neutral while openly collaborating with FARDC and its terrorist partners. How long can this hypocrisy hold? How many towns must fall before they admit that Kinshasa is the problem?
This theatre of war is not about sovereignty. It is about evasion. Tshisekedi and his circle are well aware that the country is crumbling from within. Corruption, poor governance, and economic despair have choked any prospects of progress. But instead of addressing the real issues, Kinshasa is busy weaponizing conflict to deflect attention and consolidate internal power. It is a cynical ploy, and one that sacrifices Congolese lives daily, all while demonizing M23 and vilifying Rwanda.
If Tshisekedi is no longer committed to peace, and continues to breach every agreement made in good faith, then he must prepare for consequences. M23 will not fold its arms while its people are hunted, its positions are shelled, and its will is tested by a regime that thrives on bloodshed.
If the only language Kinshasa understands is force, then perhaps the march should continue, not just to Uvira, Walikale and other places, but all the way to Kinshasa.
ellenkampire