DR Congo Stands Firm Against International Pressure for M23 Talks

As conflict rages in eastern DR Congo, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka stresses that negotiations should occur with Rwanda, which is accused of supporting M23 rebels. Despite international pressure for inclusive talks, the Congolese government is refusing to negotiate directly with M23, citing Rwanda as the aggressor.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to reject international entreaties for talks with the M23 rebel group, even as the fighting in the eastern regions escalates. Since the beginning of the year, M23 has made significant territorial gains, prompting calls from the UK and other nations for more inclusive dialogues aimed at reaching a political solution.

During a recent interview, DR Congo's Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka insisted that the emphasis should be on negotiating with Rwanda, which Congo blames for backing M23. "At least 8,500 lives have been lost since the hostilities intensified in January, and countless others have been displaced," she stated, attributing the unrest to Rwanda's involvement.

Citing a United Nations report, Tuluka mentioned that approximately 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan troops are believed to be engaged alongside the M23 fighters. The Congolese government has indicated that previous peace talks facilitated by Angola collapsed in December when Rwanda insisted on direct negotiations with the rebels to be part of discussions.

As M23 has quickly overtaken cities like Goma and Bukavu, regional leaders convened last month to call for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of foreign armed forces from DRC. However, Rwandan President Paul Kagame remained ambiguous when questioned about his military presence in Congo.

Tuluka welcomed recent sanctions from the US against Rwandan officials, asserting that they would heighten pressure on Rwanda. In contrast, Rwandan officials have decried these actions as unjust and ineffective.

The situation has intensified tensions further, with the European Commission delaying military consultations and revisiting agreements with Rwanda related to resource exploitation. Tuluka reiterated DRC's accusations of Rwanda's illegal extraction of minerals from its territory.

Moreover, the UK has adopted a stance of limiting aid to Rwanda unless it withdraws forces and engages in meaningful peace talks. In response, Rwanda claims any expectation of compromise threatens its national security.

Amid the ongoing crisis, Tuluka firmly rejected claims that the Congolese army collaborates with Rwandan militias, instead proposing a focus on neutralizing these rebel factions and ensuring the withdrawal of Rwandan troops for a sustainable ceasefire.