In this beginning of the year, I have read several competing statements by countries and international organisations that rushed to condemn the recent takeover of Masisi territory by the M23. Most of those statements accuse once again #Rwanda of supporting the M23, with a biased and simplistic language, mentionning the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the #DRC. However, it is disappointing to note that none of those statements recall the following facts:
1. Many parts of Masisi territory are/were in the hands of the FDLR génocidaires, which is a foreign force that is occupying a Congolese territory. And at no time have those countries condemned the permanent violation of the integrity of Congolese lands belonging to Congolese communities, including the Congolese Tutsi. It’s as if a Rwandan genocidal force is more legitimate on DRC soil than a Congolese community that the former tries to exterminate.
2. The issue of the European mercenaries, who were deployed in eastern DRC to support, in blatant violation of the international law, a military coalition that includes the #FARDC, the FDLR génocidaires, the CMC Nyatura, the Wazalendo criminal militia and the Burundian forces, is yet to be addressed. Even the European Union and its member States, where those mercenaries come from, continue to remain silent and inactive on the criminal activities of those mercenaries.
3. The EU statement, as well as the statements by other countries, also fail to address the underlying causes of the current conflict, which is the marginalization of the Congolese Tutsi, victims of hate speech, discrimination and persecution. Yet, Congolese communities of Rwandan heritage exist for more than a century in DRC because of Rwandan heritage exist for more than a century in DRC because of colonial borders artificially drawn by current EU member States, the same that never miss an opportunity to accuse a movement defending these communities.
4. None of these statements by countries and international organisations mention the need for direct political talks between the Government of DRC and the M23, which should address the root causes of this crisis, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the conflict. Indeed, the conflict in eastern DRC cannot be resolved through quick fixes, nice pictures and handshakes, the infantilization of the DRC leadership or through the usual accusations and blame game by the international community.
Only a serious approach, taking into consideration the current persecution of the Congolese Tutsi and the security threats against Rwanda (as demonstrated by President Tshisekedi’s bellicose rhetoric) could significantly contribute to the restoration of peace in Eastern DRC and in the Great Lakes region. (Fin)