DRC Resists Pressure for Peace Negotiations with M23

Congo Rejects Calls for Peace Talks with M23 Rebels
Despite mounting international pressure, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has firmly rejected calls to engage in peace negotiations with the M23 rebel group, which has seized large areas of eastern Congo in recent months.

Last week, the UK government urged the inclusion of M23 in "inclusive talks" as part of efforts to find a political resolution to the conflict. However, in an interview with BBC, DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka emphasized that the DRC government preferred to engage in dialogue with Rwanda, the neighboring country accused of supporting M23.

According to DRC authorities, more than 8,500 lives have been lost since the conflict escalated earlier this year. In addition, hundreds of thousands have been displaced due to the ongoing violence. United Nations experts and others have pointed to Rwanda's alleged involvement, which is believed to fuel the conflict.

"The primary source of instability and threats to DRC's sovereignty is Rwanda," Suminwa Tuluka said, referencing a UN report from last year that indicated the presence of between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops crossing the border to assist M23 militants.

A peace initiative led by Angola last December collapsed when Rwanda insisted that the DRC government engage directly with M23 rebels. The rebels have since ramped up their activities, capturing major cities such as Goma and Bukavu in January and February.

In a joint effort to seek a solution, Eastern and Southern African leaders called for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of "unauthorized foreign military forces" from Congo, and urged all parties, including M23, to engage in talks.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame, however, denied the presence of his country's troops in DRC during a CNN interview.

The ongoing conflict has significantly strained Rwanda's previously strong relations with Western countries, with increased pressure mounting on the country to withdraw its forces from Congo.

However, this pressure has yet to yield results. "This has not been implemented as of now," Suminwa Tuluka added.

The Prime Minister has welcomed U.S. sanctions on Rwanda, viewing them as a means to "push those disrupting Congo" to reconsider their actions. In contrast, Rwanda has dismissed the sanctions, arguing they are unjustified and will not resolve the conflict.

The European Commission has halted its "defense advice" and is reassessing its memorandum of understanding with Rwanda regarding natural resources. Suminwa Tuluka supported this move, stating that "illegal resource exploitation is one of the key reasons the conflict persists."

The DRC has accused Rwanda of illicitly extracting its minerals from the Takihe region in eastern Congo, a claim that Rwanda has denied.

Further sanctions on Rwanda were introduced last week when the UK announced that it would suspend aid to Rwanda, except for funds directed toward the country's poorest and most vulnerable groups, until Rwanda removes its troops from Congo and engages in peace talks to end the fighting.

Rwanda has labeled the decision as "bullying," saying it is unfair to expect the country to jeopardize its security.

Suminwa Tuluka has asserted that Rwanda has consistently ignored calls to withdraw its troops from Congo, making the country a barrier to peace.

"Now, who is the obstacle to resolving the conflict? It is not the DRC government," she said.

Rwanda has acknowledged sending troops to the region, justifying its actions as necessary to protect its national security. It has also blamed the DRC government for harboring and collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels, whose members were involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

When questioned about this, Suminwa Tuluka denied any DRC military collaboration with FDLR but confirmed that her government would be involved in efforts to "counter" the group.

As for finding a resolution, the Prime Minister stated that should peace talks with M23 fail, negotiations with Rwanda would be the immediate response to halt the fighting.

"Ensure Rwandan troops leave Congo, and that M23 rebels stop killing Congolese civilians," she concluded.