Africa

Félix Tshisekedi and Yoweri Museveni in Kigali, Rwanda, March, 2019

Over more than a year now, the Congolese people have been the target of systematic massacres, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The crimes are followed by systematic looting of mineral and other natural resources and properties. According to sources in the region, in North-Kivu the crimes are committed by Rwandan troops under the cover of M23 rebels. The same sources have also reported that Rwandan troops and troops from Uganda have been operating in Ituri Province, under the cover of Allied Defence Forces (ADF) militia. Hence, the daily life of the Congolese in the territories of Beni and Rutshuru in North-Kivu province  and in Ituri province presents the same similarities as what Rwandans experienced  between 1990 and 1993: terrorist attacks orchestrated by the Rwanda Patriotic Front and,  often conveniently blamed on the government.  

Lt. Ian Kagame's graduation in Kigali, Rwanda, November 3, 2022

Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF), under the cover of M23 and other proxy rebels and militias, have continued to expand their conquests in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), despite the presence of the forces of the Eastern African Community (EAC) and the UN (MONUSCO). The invasion has led to some DRC government key leaders resigning from their posts and accusing Felix Tshisekedi of incompetence and lack of leadership.  Meanwhile, the M23 proxy leaders have met former  Kenyan president  Uhuru Kenyata, the appointed  EAC facilitator. During the meeting, M23 rebels leaders scorned and condescended to the Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the current EAC president and a leader of the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes.  As the plan of the balkanization of  Eastern DRC continues, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, in agreement with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, alledgedly has decided to change a plan for his succession, designating one of his sons to replace his daughter Ms. Ange Kagame, as the heir to the throne in Rwanda and to work with Uganda's designated heir to the throne, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.  

Otto Bahizi, Political advisor to DRC Prime Minister in a meeting of the Community of Hutus, on December 7, 2022

As of  December 9, 2022, tensions between the leaders of the Hutu  and Tutsi ethnic communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on one side and the Rwandan regime, on the other,  continue to escalate. The escalation was  recently fueled by warnings against the Rwandan oligarch Paul Kagame and his oligarchy, due to the continued invasion of the DRC, under the cover of M23 rebels. The latest strong remarks were made by David Fati Karambi, a top leader of the Congolese Tutsi Community in Eastern DRC. Meanwhile, following reports by UN  experts confirming attacks and massacres of Congolese civilians and lootiing of minerals, the EU has extended sanctions on leaders of M23 rebels and companies involved in the DRC conflict.