Regional
Open letter to US senators on views about M23
Dear
Senators,
Richard
J. Durbin, Tim Kaine and Chris Van Hollen.
I
read, with much disappointment, your letter dated October 20, 2022, addressed
to the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the Secretary of the Treasury,
Janet Yellen, raising concerns related to the rebel group known as M23 in the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
In
your letter, you state that M23 has launched sophisticated and deadly attacks
against the Congolese government, the UN stabilization mission (MONUSCO) and
civilians.
“Given
the years and degree of human suffering in eastern Congo we ask for an update
on ongoing enforcement of US sanctions against M23 as required by Public Law
112-239,” reads your letter.
Dear Senators,
As
someone who lives in DRC, I find your letter full of misinformation most likely
provided to you by lobbyists of Tshisekedi’s government.
First
of all, I wonder why you singled out only one rebel group, M23, as the cause of
human suffering in eastern DRC when the region has more than 130 armed groups.
The
border area of Bunagana that has been occupied by M23 rebels for more than
three months is reported to be peaceful, ever since they took control.
It
is shocking to see that you are condemning the only rebel movement that has
agreements with the Congolese government signed under the auspices of the
United Nations and witnessed by regional state organizations and governments.
Unfortunately, the agreements were never implemented by the Congolese
government, which is the cause of the current conflict between M23 and the
Congolese government.
But
have you wondered why the Kinshasa government refused to honour their
commitment to the agreement with M23?
By
omission, or commission, your letter does not mention anything on terror groups
like the FDLR, remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the
Tutsi in 1994. The FDLR have caused havoc in DRC and have ambitions of
attacking Rwanda to complete the genocide.
It
is also well known that terror groups like FDLR, ADF, Mai Mai, and many others,
are a bigger security threat to eastern DRC yet you decide to point a finger to
only one rebel movement which is actually fighting for legitimate causes.
Dear Senators,
You
mentioned, in your letter, that since the beginning of this year, 2022, more than 700,000 people have been
forced to flee their homes, with many civilian deaths.
“Human
rights groups have tracked cases of torture, rape, and imprisoned civilians
forcibly made to engage in cannibalism with their murdered fellow prisoners,” reads
another part of your letter.
You
seem to suggest that the violations of human rights mentioned above, were
committed by M23, which is not the case. To the contrary, since the beginning of the
year, we witnessed gross violations as well as hate speech, torture and
execution of Congolese people who speak the Kinyarwanda language (Rwandophones),
while the world is silently watching.
Dear Senators,
The
truth is; the hate speech and the killings are supported, in broad daylight, by
top Congolese politicians, senior military and police officers, and leaders of
the Congolese civil society. Why did
you not raise your voices to ask US authorities to take action and protect
Rwandophones when they were being targeted?
It
is my humble submission that your double standards on the situation in the east
of my country is very dangerous and likely to fuel an already burning fire.
Dear
Senators,
I am
surprised that your letter conveniently remains silent about the recent Human
Rights Watch (HRW) report
published on October 18, two days before you wrote your letter to Secretary
Blinken. The HRW report documents how the DRC army supplies arms to terror
groups in eastern DRC, including FDLR, and recruits the same terror groups in
its ranks to fight the M23.
The
report stated: “FDLR
fighters have killed hundreds of civilians over the years in eastern DRC, at
times hacked them to death with machetes or hoes, or burned them in their
homes. The fighters have committed countless rapes and other acts of sexual
violence.”
Any peace loving soul in the great
lakes region would expect your letter, in case it has any relevancy, to focus
more on the unholy alliance between the DRC government and the armed terror
groups wreaking havoc in eastern DRC.
It is hypocritical to see that you
are speaking for a government which itself has legitimized and conscripted
dangerous armed terror groups within its national army, when these groups are
responsible for serious human rights violations.
As I write to you now, Congolese
government forces (FARDC) are being accused by the local population in
Minembwe/Mumarango area for setting ablaze their houses. This is done by
soldiers of the Congolese army’s 12th military brigade.
Dear Senators,
Let
me end by reminding you that your efforts are not in the interest of a peaceful
resolution of the conflict between M23 and the Congolese government. It’s
unfortunate to note that as US Senators you are relying on misinformation to
push your government to take action against M23, a move that will not provide
the right solution.
As
you well, countries in the region have come together to find a lasting solution
for the insecurity in eastern DRC. Please stop meddling and give them a chance
to solve their own problems. Your interference will jeopardize this ongoing
regional process.
Your
support will be requested when necessary.
Regards,
Janvier
Kamitatu
Ituri
Province - Democratic Republic of Congo
CC:
Hon.
Antony Blinken- Secretary of State
Hon.
Janet yallen- Secretary of the Treasury
U.S Department of State
US Senate
US
Congress