REACTION: WHO ARE THE TERRORISTS IN DRC?

Rwanda’s minister of foreign affairs has argued at the UN Security Council that branding the Kigali-backed M23 rebels fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo terrorists distracts from the human rights violations being committed by another militia fighting in eastern DRC - the Islamist ADF (Allied Democratic Forces).

Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe portrays the M23 as a protector of marginalised Tutsis in the Congo. However, this narrative is contested by reports showing the M23’s involvement in grave human rights abuses, including forced recruitment, r*pe and mass displacement. Critics suggest the resurgence of the M23 - rather than being a reaction to - exacerbated anti-Tutsi violence in the region.

While Rwanda condemns the marginalisation of Tutsis in the DRC, the M23’s economic activities, such as controlling lucrative mining areas, reveal motives beyond so-called ethnic protection. There is also evidence of Rwanda’s involvement in the looting of Congolese resources.

Our man William Sakawa gives his take on Nduhungirehe’s speech. Who do you agree with?

Sources:

https://icct.nl/publication/m23-forgotten-war-and-overshadowed-ceasefire  

https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/the-resurgence-of-the-m23-regional-rivalries/

https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/50/5040402_-africa-rwanda-drc-kagame-s-hidden-war-in-the-congo-.html  

https://apnews.com/article/congo-mining-m23-un-security-council-b11207ba887b352d702c3e4603d0c891 

https://www.blackagendareport.com/rwanda-exports-2163-kg-gold-uae-imports-12539-kg-it