The M23 rebels have warned DRC President Joseph Kabila of “grave consequences,” including facing fresh attacks, if he does not withhold support for Rwanda genocidal rebel group, FDLR.
In a press briefing issued from the M23 base on Thursday, the rebel leader Jean-Marie Runiga said the movement had concrete evidence that most DRC battalions commanded by FDLR combatants had been deployed in Goma and other strategic towns.
“While we are committed to seeking a peaceful resolution to the crisis in DRC, Kabila is actively supporting and deploying FDLR on all frontlines. This is unacceptable and violates the terms of agreement under which we agreed to pull out of Goma,” warned Runiga.
Surrounded by over 40 heavily-armed M23 fighters, Runiga was flanked by M23 military leader Gen Sultan Makenga.
A furious Runiga demanded DRC government to sign a ceasefire accord with the rebels to “put an end to mistrust and suspicions” among both parties during the peace talks which are expected to resume on Friday in Kampala.
“If Kabila’s people do not sign the ceasefire, we shall ask our delegation to pull out of the talks and return from Kampala,” cautioned Runiga as Makenga nodded in agreement.
“We are not a negative force and don’t nurture any balkanization plans. We don’t serve any foreigners’ interests. M23 is a force that is committed to peace,” said Runiga.
He said DRC must forthwith stop “reinforcing its ranks with FDLR especially in restricted areas,” adding, “any 4,000 FDLR were airdropped on December 17 by DRC planes.”
The M23 president further stated that UN aerial surveillance on rebel-held positions was “unacceptable and an act of provocation.”
He added: “If FARDC (Congolese troops) attack our positions, we shall defend ourselves, pursue them until we liberate this country.”
Runiga said M23 picked arms due to Kinshasha’s failure to extend social services such as hospitals and schools and road infrastructure to Eastern Congo.
He also decried FARDC perpetual harassment of civilians in Goma who are suspected of being sympathetic to the M23 cause.
Responding to a question from Chimpreports on whether M23 subscribed to the school of thought that Congo should be split to allow effective management, Runiga attributed the vast country’s troubles to a “leadership that lacks vision.”
“The DRC problem is not as a result of its huge size but leadership that does not have focus and falls short of delivering social services to its people,” he observed.
“If DRC gets good leadership, it can change. Is Congo bigger than USA or China? Dividing Congo is not part of our agenda,” remarked Runiga as Makenga smiled.
Runiga hailed President Yoweri Museveni, the chairman ICGRL, for reopening the Bunagana border which Kampala had closed on Kabila’s request.
“When you close this border, it’s the local people in Congo who buy salt and soap from the Uganda side that suffer. They cannot get a good life. It’s Museveni who took the initiative for reopen that border. It’s not even officially opened,” he added.
The M23 threats will surely set the tone for the peace talks and also underline the deep suspicions among the two parties as they dialogue to find a peaceful, homegrown and long lasting solution to the crisis in DRC.
Chimpreports
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