Regional
Leadership vacuum at heart of DRC woes
For anyone with interest in
happenings in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), here is a friendly piece
of advice; it is rather naïve to look at issues of this restive nation within
the vacuum of current events. It runs deeper than that.
The country’s leadership is
to blame. The question however is; until when will the country suffer from the
prevailing state of confusion?
For years, what seemed to be
a temporary miscalculation from the country’s leadership has come to be the
modus operandi of the DRC leadership since the mid 1990s.
From welcoming the
genocidaires from Rwanda, in 1994, to providing rear bases for FDLR – formed by
the same genocidaires – to launching a military offensive against Rwanda, to
overtly fighting alongside these terrorists against Congolese citizens with
legitimate grievances.
The Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and these
genocidal militia launched strikes on Rwandan territory on several occasions in
May.
The axis of evil between
FARDC and FDLR is not a new phenomenon. It is a recurrent mistake from DRC
leaders who seem to have not learnt lessons from past attempts.
The on and off military
cooperation between these two have heavy consequences on the country.
Unfortunately, it has been the Congolese civilians that suffered the most.
The FDLR uses this relationship
to terrorize civilians; loot and rape at will.
The genocidaires plundered
natural resources to enrich themselves and fund their terrorist enterprise. Local
politicians who see opportunities in such a chaotic situation line their pockets
with illicit wealth to the detriment of their compatriots.
The politicians’ choice to
associate with elements that aim at destabilizing their neighbors is an
independent choice by DRC’s leadership. But joining forces with FDLR to shell Rwanda’s
territory will have consequences.
The most absurd thing is not
the united front between FARDC and FDLR because this has been with us for years.
What is absurd is the Congolese leadership shamelessly stating that the FDLR is
a spent force.
The genocidaires are not
only fighting alongside the government forces. They are actually on the
frontline of the offensive against the M23 rebels in the east of DRC.
In his remarks, at the UN
General Assembly in New York in September, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi shamelessly
lied to the world that FDLR is not a threat to Rwanda. This is an indication
that DRC’s problem lies in its leadership right from the very top.
Currently, the blame game
and the scapegoating strategy of DRC leadership has stimulated an appalling
hate speech against Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese. It degenerated into the lynching
of Congolese nationals of Rwandan decent. Tshisekedi turned a blind eye and
instead choose to cry wolf, trying to deflect and blame Rwanda for his own
failures.
The lynching of Kinyarwanda
speaking Congolese is ongoing and always overlooked by the security forces of
DRC. A disturbing mass mobilization is currently undergoing in the country,
supported by hate speech and deadly slogans targeting Rwandophones. This is
taking place in all corners of DRC, including the capital Kinshasa.
The blame game and the
scapegoating strategy has not worked against Rwanda.
They are now mobilizing
Congolese to commit a genocide against their compatriots who speak Kinyarwanda.
The DRC leadership should perhaps call it a day, and embrace talks with the M23
to find a lasting solution to their qualms. Recapturing Bunagana – which
is currently controlled by the M23 rebels – should not be an end in itself. They
should look for a more sustainable approach.
Regarding their cooperation
with the FDLR, President Tshisekedi should understand two things. First,
choosing to cooperate with the FDLR might be his independent choice and he can
pursue his political ambitions with their help, but he should not try to fool anyone about their existence.
Secondly, while Tshisekedi
chooses to collaborate with the FDLR, he should refrain from the mistake of
supporting them to destabilize Rwanda.