Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo
Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, the coordinator of Congo River Alliance (AFC), a coalition of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels has said that they are open to a direct dialogue with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government to solve the root cause of the conflict.

Nangaa revealed this in a letter released on Saturday and addressed to heads of state and government of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) who held a joint summit on Saturday in Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania over insurgency in the eastern part of DR Congo.

The summit happened after fierce fighting between M23 rebels and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers and coalition forces that led to the fall of Goma City and Goma International Airport in North Kivu province into the hands of M23.

During the summit, the heads of state directed for resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue with all state and non-state parties including M23 rebels.

They also asked the EAC and SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces to meet within five days and provide technical guidance on immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, provision of humanitarian assistance, including the repatriation of the deceased and the evacuation of the wounded, re-opening of the main supply routes, notably Goma-Sake-Bukavu; Goma-Kibumba-Rumangabo-Kalengera-Rutshuru-Bunagana and Goma-Kiwanja-Rwindi-Kanyabayonga-Lubero, including navigation on Lake Kivu between Goma and Bukavu as well as immediate reopening of Goma international airport.

The leaders also directed that modalities for the withdrawal of uninvited foreign armed forces from the territory of DR Congo be developed and implemented.

In a letter, Nangaa believes that the solution to the crisis that has stayed for more than 30 years is a direct dialogue. He argues that the Congolese crisis in the east of the country whose main cause lies in the illegitimacy of President Félix Tshisekedi is political.

Nangaa also in a letter reminded SADC that Tshisekedi recruited Rwandan Defense and Liberation Forces (accused of genocide in Rwanda) into his guard, in mining sites and the war front, without taking into account the resulting risks of extermination of the local population, mainly targeting Congolese Tutsi.

He also protested about the involvement of SADC troops in the hostilities to fight alongside the FDLR in support of the illegitimate regime in Kinshasa. It remains unclear if the cessation of hostilities will be observed by the belligerents as directed by EAC and SADC heads of state during the joint summit.

On Saturday night intense fighting between M23 rebels and FARDC/coalition was reported in Bushaku, Kalehe territory, South Kivu province.

2 replies on “DRC: M23 rebels open to dialogue”

  1. I ask DRC and SADC not to buy into the tactics of M23. It is the tactics the National Resistance (NRA) used to defeat Obote’s government. When the battle got tough for the NRA, they (NRA) would ask for a cease fire and a peace summit, and while everyone’s eyes are on the peace summit, the NRA would press ahead with war and advance. DRC should bring very careful!

  3. But, but but, is it an objective truth that: the former Rwandan Defense and Liberation Forces (RDLF), allegedly accused of the 1994 Genocide still the same people.

    Knop because, given the 31 years and counting of destitution in DRC, most if not all these persons are dead, over 60 year old and falling apart! Therefore can’t be the fighting force Rwanda is complaining about.

    In other words, they can’t be the same people Rwanda is complaining about. And if it is true, they are the 2nd and/or 3rd Generation that Rwanda will to continue deal.

    Remember, the wounds of war/violent conflict never heal.

    By invading Rwanda in Oct 1990, through the backing, training, sponsor, and/or military equipment from our now 80-year-old “Problem of Africa, and eventually the grizzly assassination of Habyarimanna (RIP) that became the trigger of the Genocide; the RPA/F, Gen Tibuhaburwa and Kagame are to blame for the enigma that will never go away in DR Congo and Great Lake Region as whole.

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