DRC: President Félix Tshisekedi calls for dialogue with Rwanda to resolve the crisis
President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) expressed on Thursday his belief that the ongoing crisis between Kinshasa and Kigali in the eastern part of the country could be resolved through dialogue. This statement comes amid persistent tensions between the two neighboring nations.
Tshisekedi, who had pledged to declare war on Rwanda during his election campaign, emphasized during a press conference that «maintaining peace is a much wiser attitude than waging war».
This declaration signifies a change in tone from the Congolese president, highlighting a preference for dialogue over confrontation.
He also announced his participation in a bilateral dialogue with his Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço, in Luanda (Angola), the designated mediator by the African Union in the Rwanda-DRC crisis.
During his remarks, President Tshisekedi pointed fingers at the M23, a rebellion active in the North Kivu province bordering Rwanda, stating that the M23 is «actually Rwanda».
This rebellion has raised concerns in the DRC and internationally, with allegations of Rwandan support.
President Tshisekedi also accused Rwanda of building itself on presumed resources stolen from the DRC, stating that «it’s a truth we should not be ashamed to say».
This reference to the natural resources of the DRC underscores the deep economic and political stakes of this regional crisis.
Furthermore, the President strongly criticized the European Union for entering into a raw materials cooperation agreement with Rwanda, labeling it as «ignominious».
According to him, this agreement legitimizes the plundering of the DRC’s mineral resources, highlighting concerns about the exploitation of the country’s natural resources by foreign actors.
In summary, President Tshisekedi’s position underscores the importance of dialogue in resolving regional tensions and sheds light on the complex challenges the DRC faces in terms of security and natural resources.
Neil CAMARA
