**The case of the arrest of Baraka Elonga David: the underside of a geopolitical conflict in the DRC**
During the recent 13th meeting of the Council of Ministers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, information shook the upper echelons of the Congolese government: the arrest of Baraka Elonga David, a senior official of the Alliance of Congolese Forces (AFC) led by Corneille Nangaa. This arrest raises crucial questions about the dynamics of the armed conflicts that are shaking the east of the country, highlighting complex geopolitical issues and controversial alliances.
Baraka Elonga David was apprehended in Uganda, in the Kyangwali refugee camp, as he was preparing to take a group of young Congolese for military training in order to support the operations of the M23-AFC-RDF coalition against the regime in place led by Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. This revelation highlights the rebel groups’ attempts to destabilize the current government and underscores Uganda’s crucial role in the tensions in the DRC.
The Congolese government has yet to formally request the extradition of Baraka Elonga, raising doubts about the cooperation between the Ugandan authorities and Congolese rebel groups. Accusations of Uganda’s support for rebel forces in North Kivu province further complicate the situation and underscore the need for increased regional cooperation to resolve internal conflicts in the DRC.
Doctoral Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Guy Kabombo Mwadiamvita highlighted during the meeting the recent clashes between the M23-AFC-RDF coalition and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP), as well as the joint operations of the FARDC and Ugandan forces against the ADF. These armed conflicts persist in the east of the country, threatening regional stability and the well-being of populations affected by the violence.
The Congolese government has committed to strengthening the capacities of the defense and security forces to restore order and peace in conflict zones. This commitment reflects the urgent need to end armed violence and guarantee the security of civilians in a region where instability has persisted for too long.
In conclusion, the arrest of Baraka Elonga David highlights the complex geopolitical issues that characterize the conflicts in the DRC, underlining the importance of effective regional cooperation to resolve tensions and establish peace in a region scarred by armed conflict.