Photo: Sylvain Liechti/Monusco Rwanda has urged the Congolese army (FARDC) and the rebel force M23 to cease renewed hostility in eastern DRCand respect the peace resolutions tabled by the region through the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
Despite a three-month ceasefire in place, violence broke out yesterday morning in the volatile eastern DRC, where media reported dozens to have been killed in the latest fighting between the Congolese army and M23 rebels.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and government spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo, expressed concern that the breakout in fighting will undermine the ongoing ICGLR peace process.
"The resumption of fighting between FARDC and M23 violates directives agreed by the 11 member states of the ICGLR who are working to restore much needed peace in the Eastern DRC," Mushikiwabo said in a statement released yesterday evening.
"This violence close to our (Rwandan) border has direct repercussions on us - we have already seen civilians injured today from stray bullets on Rwandan territory as well as renewed influx of Congolese refugees. We do not want any further casualties," Mushikiwabo said in a statement.
According to the Minister, the violent activities of the FARDC, M23 and other armed groups in DRC must stop "because they continue to jeopardize ongoing regional efforts to bring about lasting peace and security in Eastern DRC."
She expressed optimism ahead of the findings by the ICGLR Joint Verification Mechanism that is already on the ground and Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre on this situation and hope that this will facilitate immediate containment.
The Mechanism was set up by the ICGLR as a result of series of meetings by regional Heads of State, which took place in Kampala preceded by another one in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
M23 rebels are as a result of a mutiny staged earlier this year by armed forces, formerly members of the Congolese armed forces, accusing their government of reneging on a peace agreement signed in 2009.
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Rwanda, stop committing this genocide. We, in the Congo, all know that Rwanda is behind this new offensive. The UN is the political arm of the Kagami army. The UN should be ashamed of themselves. Is it possible that the UN is an accomplice in the commitment of genocide? How do we bring charges at the ICC against Kagami and the UN?
Let's analyze this for a second. The first offensive earlier in 2012 was proven to be directly supported by Rwanda at the highest levels of their government. It is documented - it took Kagami and his "lieutenants" an enormous effort and a pretty genius strategic communications strategy to recover from the damage incurred (but the UN and the US forgave him - especially when he threatened to pull his troops out of Somalia). That's when the UN and the International Community decided to intervene as part of this Great Lakes organization to make nice with everyone. Everyone came out a winner except President Kabila, the FARDC, and especially the people of the Congo.
So, for months, the M23 (read Kagami and his proxy army) have been rearming, refitting, resupplying, and consolidated the gains from the first offensive, and now they start again. M23 has made substantial gains in just a few days (conquered more territory), and now, just as reinforcements from the FARDC arrive, they want a truce, as they want to hold on to newly acquired territory under a "new" ceasefire agreement. Given them enough time to consolidate, rearm, refit, resupply, and in early 2013, they will take Goma. Once Goma falls, Kagami will annex North Kivu and perhaps more territory, since that is what his regime (the most repressive regime in Africa - but the UN and the US will say nothing because he supplies troops to Somalia), more territory is what Kagami is after. The same applies to his neighbor to the north.
But Kagami and all others - let this be your notice. Angola, the FARDC, and other "allies" will not stand by idle and allow you all to balkanize the Congo. If the UN and the International Community (IC) really want peace, charge Kagami with crimes against humanity, tell Rwanda to stand down and remove their troops from Congolese territory, and then we can begin to transit towards peace and normalcy. If you fail to do this, prepare yourselves for the most bloody and horrifying war the world has ever seen.
It's sad when the UN foments war and discord. My African brothers and sisters, it's time we stop this new form of cold war on Africa - the use of proxy armies to keep Africans down and dependent.
I am saddened that so many of my Congolese brothers and sisters, especially the children, women, and the elderly, are being slaughtered without mercy and we want to have more meetings. If this was happening in Texas instigated by Mexico, the US would not want to have some peace meeting while its citizens are being slaughtered.... no, Mr. Obama would declare war and kiss some Mexican ass. Why the double standard?
May God have mercy on the Congolese - they have suffered so much for so long it isn't fair. God help them, I implore you. No one else cares about them! MONUSCO go home - you are a disastrous organization. Most of you are only here to make money, meet and have affairs with beautiful Congolese women in Kinshasa, drive the nicest cars in the capital, occupy the best buildings, and tonight, as hundreds, perhaps thousands are being slaughtered, you are the VIP lounge in Kinshasa meeting pretty girls in mini-skirts. As I look out of my window here in Kinshasa, I currently count 17 UN vehicles parked in front of the night club (it is 2200 hours). I wonder what they are doing there? I wonder if the average American taxpayer (who pays for about 75% of the mission) knows how you are misusing tax payers dollars? But fear not, as it is being documented.
May God bless Africa (minus Rwandan and Ugandan leadership). May God bless the people and protect them.
JC
SOURCE: Worldcue
"The presidents of the DRC and Rwanda agreed in July 2012 to deploy a neutral international force along their countries' borders, but signs of such a mission have not materialized. The FARDC and the M23 appear determined to fight, making a political solution to the crisis unlikely in the short term. The UN has accused Rwandan and Ugandan military officials of financially supporting the M23 and providing fighters to the group. The allegations have worsened the already-tense relationship between the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda."
So, in a UN report that was not supposed to be leaked, it incriminated Rwanda and Uganda (as well as its leaders), but where is the UN now? Why is the UN, US, and others, not providing weapons to the FARDC to fight this aggression? Where is the African Union? Chapter two of your charter states that an incursion into another country is a violation of international law and of the charter of the the AU, as it violates the sovereignty of a sovereign state, and yet you do nothing? This blood, and there are people counting, is in the UNs, AUs, Rwanda's, Uganda's, US', and many others hands. It is on your watch, Mr. Obama. When are you going to do anything for Africa? 95% of us were rooting for you, unfortunately, you can't spell Africa.
Kagami, we are coming for you - your strategic communications won't work this time. This article is obvious more disinformation and part of your strategic message as you push for this secret war. Your days Mr. Kagami are numbered. Goodbye.
Killer Kagame, stop Playing game by condemning this war you are still attacking us but we are not sleeping, you will regret one day your ham in East part of DR Congo. This is a war between Rwanda and Goma, when we Congoleses will come together against Rwanda, all Rwandese killers will be burn inside Congo. Think twice Rwanda because DR Congo never attacked you but soon or later this will com.........