General Sultani Makenga, the commander of the M23 rebel group, supports impending peace talks with the Congolese government set for March 18 in Angola. He criticized President Tshisekedi’s leadership and highlighted the group’s motivations stemming from systemic injustices faced by Rwandophones in DR Congo. The conflict’s context reveals a broader coalition against a well-supported Congolese army, while Makenga asserts the M23 acts defensively amid ongoing threats.
General Sultani Makenga, the military commander of the M23 rebel group, expressed his support for the upcoming peace talks between the rebels and the Congolese government, scheduled for March 18 in Luanda, Angola. During a March 12 interview with Alain Destexhe, a former Belgian senator, Makenga stated that while they are eager to negotiate, they have only been informed of Angola’s involvement and have not yet received any communication from Kinshasa.
The announcement of the talks came on March 11, following a visit by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to Angolan President João Lourenço, who also holds the presidency of the African Union. Previous discussions regarding the DR Congo crisis had consistently excluded the M23 group. However, the Angolan presidency confirmed that direct negotiations would commence on March 18.
In his remarks about President Tshisekedi, Makenga criticized him vehemently, characterizing him as someone devoid of love for his country, labeling him a “bandit.” He emphasized that the M23 movement arises from efforts to combat widespread injustices, violence, and discrimination faced by Congolese Rwandophones in eastern DR Congo, and their overarching goal is to eradicate tribalism, nepotism, and other societal issues.
The conflict involving the Congolese army, supported by various international and local allies, against the M23 rebels escalated in 2021. Presently, the M23 is integrated into a broader coalition called the Alliance fleuve Congo (AFC), which emerged in December 2023 under the leadership of Corneille Nangaa, a former president of the national electoral commission in DR Congo.
Makenga clarified that there is no intention to advance toward Kinshasa unless provoked, asserting that their actions are purely for survival. He highlighted the historical context of their rebellion, asserting they were forced into armed conflict due to existential threats. An illustrative incident he mentioned involved the destruction of a village in North Kivu Province solely due to its Tutsi demographic, underscoring a need for reconciliation.
Despite recent gains in controlling significant cities like Goma and Bukavu, Makenga contended that these were not initial objectives of the rebellion. Instead, the M23 had to respond to direct military threats posed by the Congolese army and its coalition, asserting that their engagement was a defensive reaction to escalating assaults against residents within controlled territories. He accused the Congolese forces of ongoing violations of ceasefire agreements, including drone attacks on their positions.
In summary, General Sultani Makenga of the M23 welcomes impending peace negotiations with the Congolese government, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo. He criticized President Tshisekedi and emphasized the need for the rebellion as a defense against systemic injustices. The upcoming talks signify a potential shift in addressing the crisis, while the M23 remains committed to combating various societal ills and maintaining a defensive posture unless provoked.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
