Regional

DRC: M23 became Tshisekedi’s tool to stifle opposition

2023-06-16 05:04:00

Salomon Kalonda, an aide to a top Congolese opposition politician, was brutally arrested by Congolese Military Intelligence agents, at Kinshasa International Airport, on May 30.

In a video that went viral in the media, Kalonda is seen being dragged by men in a white car, which immediately takes off at high speed.

Kalonda is the special and political advisor of Moise Katumbi, President of ‘Ensemble pour la République’, a prominent opposition party in DRC, and a candidate in the presidential elections expected to be held in December 2023.

Related: DRC: Tshisekedi under pressure

The Congolese military intelligence services communicated, on June 5, that Kalonda was accused of possessing a firearm, and being in permanent contact with the officers of the M23 rebels and Rwanda.

The Congolese army also alleged that Katumbi's adviser conspired with the officers of the Rwandan army to overthrow the Congolese government. The former ambassador of Rwanda in the DRC, Amb. Vincent Karega, was also mentioned in the allegations.

When Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi was sworn in as president of the DRC nearly five years ago, it was hailed as a landmark moment - the first peaceful transfer of power in the vast country's almost six-decade history., The country which has enormous mineral deposits has been bogged down by conflict and corruption for decades and, some citizens hoped that Tshisekedi would actually walk the talk. They were disappointed.

Tshisekedi pledged to build a strong DRC, turned toward development in peace and security, and tried or pretended to boost security but ordinary citizens do not feel any safer than they did five years ago. He did not build a strong DRC but he has, instead, weakened it more.

Diseases and poverty aside, one of Tshisekedi's biggest challenges is continued violence in the east of the country, where more than 130 Congolese and foreign armed groups continue to cause havoc.

With six months left to the December presidential election, Tshisekedi is in panic mode.

He is using all tactics possible to weaken his opposition, all the while finding a way to involve Rwanda as a scapegoat for his glaring failure to lead his country.

Tshisekedi has been in office since 2019, and this was an opportunity for the new president to challenge those who doubted his capability, by serving them in a remarkable way that would earn him a second term. Five years later, there is nothing tangible he can show the Congolese people in terms of social economic development of the country.

Today, the DRC has again been plunged into violence; especially in the eastern part. Corruption, embezzlement of public funds, poor governance, ethnic discrimination, among others, characterize Tshisekedi’s government. The Congolese people know this. Tshisekedi is doing everything in his power to hush his critics in the hope of getting re-elected. Using the M23 and Rwanda scapegoat plot is his best weapon, so far.

The case with MP Édouard Mwangachuchu, represents this hysteria best. Arrested in March, the lawmaker was charged with illegal possession of firearms, working with the M23 rebels, and inciting government soldiers to commit acts contrary to their duty. During his trial, he made it clear that he is Congolese and not Rwandan.

But he was accused of having a ‘Rwandan soul’.

Fortunat Biselele, former private advisor to Tshisekedi, and François Beya, former security advisor to the President, are other high profile figures in Kinshasa who were arrested over suspicion of colluding with Kigali. Lt Gen Philemon Yav, a former FARDC commander who was in charge of operations against armed groups in eastern DRC was also arrested on the same suspicions.

The alleged collusion with Rwanda has always been a feature of Congolese politics. Tshisekedi is fuelling chaos in eastern DRC to prolong the conflict there so that the presidential elections can be postponed. But this strategy has failed since the EAC regional force has been able to maintain a ceasefire and enhance peace in the areas vacated by the M23 rebels.

Now Tshisekedi is on plan B, which is using the same ‘culprits’ – M23 rebels and Rwanda – to oppress his opponents.