Dialogue key to DRC peace

Russia Today

28-01-2025

The resumption of dialogue and a long-term political solution are essential to achieving peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwandan diplomat Vincent Karega has said in an interview with RT.
Karega, a former Rwandan ambassador to the DRC and current ambassador-at-large in the African Great Lakes region, called for a genuine commitment to addressing the root causes of the conflict and finding sustainable solutions. He underscored the importance of political negotiations and inclusive dialogue as the only viable paths forward.
'The dialogue started in Nairobi and went to Angola should be resumed and bring on table all the issues in a genuine way and find a long-lasting political solution,'
he stated.
The statement comes after the DRC severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, citing accusations that Kigali supports the M23 militia, which has intensified its offensive in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu.
Rwandan media reported on Sunday that the country's Foreign Ministry confirmed the departure of diplomats from the DRC's capital, but stressed that the move was spurred by security concerns amid mounting tensions in the country.
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Karega shed light on the complexities of the conflict, particularly the role of the M23 group, which he attributed to the marginalization of certain communities in the DRC. He highlighted how issues of identity, land rights, and historical injustices have fueled tensions.
According to Karega,
'Their children are fighting as M23 to recover their identity, their rights to their land and to their country.'
He criticized the narrative that reduces the conflict to a struggle over mineral wealth, explaining that many of those involved are historically farmers and cattle keepers, not miners.
Karega also pointed to the failures of previous peace efforts, including the Nairobi talks, where agreements to disarm militias and integrate them into the Congolese army were not fully implemented. Instead, he explained, the government of Kinshasa shifted its approach toward military action against M23, further destabilizing the region.
On Rwanda's role, Karega dismissed allegations of his country's support for M23, insisting that Rwanda's actions at its border are solely defensive. He noted that Rwanda's measures aim to prevent incursions by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed rebel group connected to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
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'Rwanda has got a solid defence system at the border… in prevention of the FDLR genocidaires,'
he said.
Karega stressed the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of the conflict, including the legacy of colonialism, which he argued has left communities divided and stigmatized.
While the path to peace remains uncertain, Karega reiterated Rwanda's commitment to dialogue as the only viable solution. He urged regional and international actors to prioritize long-term political solutions over short-term military interventions.
'What is more important is for mostly the Africans and the Congolese themselves to understand that they are number one responsible for ensuring that there is a long-lasting peace and security because it is for the benefit of DRC and the whole region as a whole,'
he concluded.