Fatshimetrie
A wave of protests rocked the city of Butembo in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where hundreds of demonstrators expressed their support for the Congolese armed forces, while firmly rejecting any idea of negotiations with the M23 rebels. The streets echoed with chants and slogans expressing frustration and anger at Rwanda, which it accuses of supporting the M23 rebels.
Frank Mukendi, one of the demonstrators, said: “We are behind them, we support them, and we ask them to launch offensives. From today, we intend to work with them to fight the enemy. Our regions are occupied, that is why we are asking them. We also ask them to reject any withdrawal orders without justification, especially politically motivated messages.”
The outpouring of anger comes as the DRC and Rwanda continue negotiations in Luanda to try to resolve the conflict in the region. Some civil society members expressed distrust of Rwanda’s arguments, saying that the alleged presence of the FDLR in the DRC should not distract from the much-needed support for the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) to achieve lasting peace.
Muhindo Shafi, a civil society member, said: “Rwanda claims every day that there are FDLR members in the DRC and that they need to be found. This is Rwanda’s daily argument, but I consider it a complete distraction, which is why we continue to call on our government to support our republican army, the FARDC, for lasting peace.”
Protesters also denounced the massacres carried out by the terrorist group ADF in North Kivu, which have been ongoing since October 2014. According to civil society, the death toll stands at over 17,000.
“There is a real massacre in Beni, in the Lubero territory. We say enough, it is time to provide all the necessary means to the FARDC so that they can strike the M23 and ADF rebels. Today, I am demonstrating to say no to negotiations,” said Rose Kahavu, a protester.
Operations involving both the Congolese and Ugandan armies are underway in the region, but these efforts have not yet ended the violence. In a meeting with Ugandan officers on Sunday, October 13, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi gave clear instructions to strengthen military cooperation between the DRC and Uganda in order to eradicate insecurity in this region.
The situation remains tense in this region of eastern DRC, and the Congolese authorities must take significant measures to ensure the security of local populations and put an end to the violence perpetrated by rebel groups.The solidarity displayed by the inhabitants of Butembo towards their armed forces is a strong sign of their determination to protect their territory and to fight against any form of threat.