Rwandan refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on a Visit to Rwanda during the Rome-Kisangani-Kasiki Peace Process in 2008-2009

On March 3, 2024, the  Eglise du Christ au Congo (ECC) issued a statement to the Government of the DR Congo, recommending to organize a national dialogue aimed  at addressing and resolving issues of peace, security and state governance.  Meanwhile, AfroAmerica Network has learned that the DR Government, in accord with the calls from the Eglise du Christ au Congo (ECC) and after constructive discussions with world powers and governments, including the United States of America (USA), The European Union (EU), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the United Nations (UN),  has decided to reengage in a process to repatriate or resettle the Rwandan refugees who have been in  the DR Congo for 30 years and their descendants.

KAHUNGA position,  6 km North of the town of  KIWANJA, where the Radar of RDF Forces was located.

On Saturday February 17, 2024, while the African Union was holding a Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the United States Government strongly condemned the worsening violence and war crimes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) committed  by the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) troops under the cover of M23 rebels. The condemnation followed the recent incursions of Rwandan troops  into the city of Sake, a few kilometers from the city of Goma, the capital of North-Kivu province,  the killings of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) peace keeping soldiers in DRC under the SAMIDRC, and the shooting of FARDC aircrafts  and  civilians planes  using drones. With the strong condemnations by the US Government, the questions have shifted to the next steps of actions  against the Rwandan government and military leaders.

KAHUNGA position,  6 km North of the town of  KIWANJA, where the Radar of RDF Forces was located.

On Monday Feb 12, 2024,  the South African government confirmed its decision to deploy more South African National Defense Force (SANDF) troops,  increasing its contribution to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force to help the Congolese forces, FARDC, in their fight against the armed groups in eastern Congo ( see here DR Congo: More Aggressive Protests Against Western Governments as UN Confirms Invasion by Rwandan Troops and South Africa Sends More Troops).

As the south African troops were being deployed, the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF) troops, under the cover of the M23 rebels, launched bombs on  the military camps of SANDF,  killing 2 south African  soldiers and wounding a number of other troops(see pictures at the bottom).  The attack has fueled questions on whether RDF are ready to  directly confront SANDF.

South Africa Special Forces Training

Since Friday Feb 9, 2024 Congolese protesters in Kinshasa have been calling on the West to stop supporting the invasion of Eastern DR Congo by Rwandan troops, under the cover of M23 rebels.  As the Congolese police has been trying to control the protests and avoid violence, two developments happened.  Despite the denials by Rwandan dictator Paul Kagame and his ministers, a new United Nations document revealed that M23 rebels are using arms provided by the Rwandan government and military. Then,  South African government confirmed its decision to deploy more troops to increase its contribution to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force, to fight armed groups in eastern Congo.

DR Congo Defence Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba in Sake, Kivu on Feb 9, 2024

On Friday February 9, 2024 the government of the DR Congo and UN mission force in DR Congo, MONUSCO have confirmed their determination to work together to fight off against the invasion of the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) under the cover of M23 rebels. MONUSCO  reiterated its commitment  to support the FARDC in the protection of the city of Sake in  Masisi and the city of Goma. The Operation of FARDC and MONUSCO, known as Springbok, will also be supported by the forces of Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Former Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba

Namibia's President Hage Gottfried Geingob, one of the main heroes or Namibia Independence and Revolution against Apartheid  has died. He was 82 years old.  The death was announced by Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba who has later been sworn-in as the interim president until the elections planned later this year.  Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah,   who was previously serving as the Deputy-Prime Minister of Namibia from 2015 to 2024,  has now been appointed  the interim vice-president. Shen may be the next president and the first female president of Namibia if she wins the upcoming elections planned for November 2024.