By Larissa Makiesa.
Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are convening on Thursday to explore the next steps regarding the potential withdrawal of troops from the area.
According to News24, diplomatic channels with Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, remain open amidst a public dispute between Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
In response to Ramaphosa on Wednesday night, Kagame took to Twitter, accusing him of “misrepresentation” and “even falsehoods” in his remarks concerning the deaths of South African soldiers in the eastern DRC.
Kagame concluded his message by stating:
“Though they speak Rwandan, these individuals are Congolese, and it is the duty of any administration in Kinshasa to care for this demographic just like any other; yet we must recall the events during the BaHutu era.”
“The BaHutu held the view that these individuals were outsiders. It’s akin to South Africans asserting: ‘There are Tswana-speaking individuals here in the North West, and suddenly the rest of the nation declares that they are not South Africans; they should relocate to Botswana.’ What transpired in the Congo… that’s the reason for the rise of the Mai-Mai in the Eastern Congo.
“The Mai-Mai specifically targeted the Banyamulenge to expel them from the Congo into Rwanda. Nevertheless, it is imperative for the central Congo government to tend to this population, which is Congolese and Rwandan speaking.”
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Mbeki added that the second issue lies in the fact that the government’s administrative presence in Kinshasa does not extend into the east.
“Thus, you encounter a region of the nation that experiences minimal governance from the Kinshasa administration. Given the country’s vastness, there’s a weak governmental influence in the east, allowing alternative forces to arise and assume control.
When considering the M23, it’s impossible for the Congolese government to overlook its implications. Unless you declare: ‘We, the Congolese administration, will safeguard the Banyamulenge as we view them as Congolese citizens.’ Failing to make that assertion and permitting others to act as they please towards the Banyamulenge will ensure the persistence of the M23. They will procure weapons for self-defense.
Mbeki noted that this issue was addressed in discussions with President Joseph Kabila.
“It’s your duty to care for those individuals in the east.”
Furthermore, he elaborated that post the Sun City talks, there were talks regarding the appropriate integration of various nations into the Congolese government.
“However, that initiative faltered at some point…”
Mbeki added that Kagame and Kabila recognized, “You must manage your interactions in a specific manner since part of the dilemma involves individuals who perpetrated genocide in Rwanda fleeing to Eastern Congo, leading Rwanda to argue, ‘The very individuals you’re harboring there are those who intend to harm us—they have already done so and wish to repeat it.’ So, how do you navigate this relationship?”
Mbeki stated that the leaders reached an accord on how to engage with one another because “the (Rwanda and the DRC) cannot be separated.”
He mentioned that a pact was ultimately ratified.
“I believe it disintegrated along the way, yet these processes are essential. The Congolese government must take control of the eastern regions of Congo.
“Moreover, we need a framework among the DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda to manage their interactions. I believe that’s essential to addressing the challenges in Eastern Congo.”
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