AFC/M23 leaves Negotiations and rashes to Goma

 

After three weeks of discussions under the auspices of Qatari mediation, talks between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebellion ended in failure. The rebel movement's delegation left Doha for its headquarters in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

No Concrete Progress

Despite some direct exchanges, the deep differences between the two parties have not been resolved. Tensions escalated during the preparation of a joint communiqué, the content of which crystallized the disagreements.

Persistent Points of Contention

Kinshasa would have preferred the communiqué to explicitly state that the discussions followed the meeting between Presidents Tshisekedi (DRC) and Kagame (Rwanda). This proposal was immediately rejected by the AFC/M23, which considers this dispute an interstate conflict that does not concern them.

Another source of tension: the Congolese government's demand for a joint commitment to the disarmament of all armed groups. The AFC/M23 rejected this proposal, accusing Kinshasa of collaborating with some of these militias on the ground.

Unilateral Withdrawal and Security Demands

The rebels demanded, in return, the withdrawal of the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and the Wazalendo militias from the Walikale region, which they consider a prerequisite for any progress. Their own withdrawal from certain positions was reportedly presented as a "gesture of good faith."

Dialogue Stalled

According to the AFC/M23, several prerequisites submitted to the Qatari mediation have remained unanswered by the Congolese government, which they now accuse of "bad faith." The rebellion is now making any resumption of discussions conditional on Kinshasa appointing negotiators with real decision-making power, and not, according to it, "mere experts with a vague mandate."

Release on prisoners!

Among the more than 700 prisoners whose release was demanded by AFC/M23 during the Doha negotiations with the Tshisekedi government was the son of Major General Eric Murokore, the overall commander of the RDF/M23 forces operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His son, Murokore Mushabe Moses, an RDF captain, was listed alongside several accomplices, including Colonel Santos Mugisha Ruyumbu, a FARDC military officer; Remy Nganji Nsengiyumwa, a Congolese national; Juvénal Nshimiyimana Biseruka, an operative of Rwanda's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) who had been deployed under the Swiss-funded NGO, African Health Development Organization; and Josette Umwali, a veteran operative of Rwanda’s external intelligence services, also deployed in the DRC.

These RDF operatives were arrested in Kinshasa in December 2022 for plotting to assassinate DRC President Félix Tshisekedi by shooting down his presidential jet, in a manner reminiscent of the assassination of Juvénal Habyarimana. The arrests followed their purchase of land and the rental of an apartment adjacent to N'djili International Airport.

President Félix Tshisekedi recently released five detainees, most of whom are relatives of Corneille Nangaa, as a gesture. However, the RDF-M23 alliance has refused to acknowledge this step and has instead submitted to Qataris mediators a list of over 700 prisoners they demand to be released. On the list there are names such as ​Éric Nkuba Shebandu, Nicaisse Samafu Makinu, Nangaa Baseyane ,Nkangya Nyamacho alias Microbe, Safari Bishori Luc, ​Édouard Mwangachuchu Hizi...etc.