DRC | EAC | RWANDA | M23 | SUPPORT 

The East African Community (EAC) has no evidence Rwanda supports M23 rebels, Burundi President, Gen. Evariste Ndayishimiye, has said.

Ndayishimiye is the chairperson of the regional bloc.

“As a region, we have not yet confirmed if Rwanda is behind M23." "Even I, myself, have not yet confirmed it,” Ndayishimiye said in an interview with France 24 on November 22.

“Until now, at the level of the region, we, including myself, have not yet decided on the Congolese accusations about Rwanda. We are planning a consultative meeting with the Angolan president as the facilitator. "We will have the opportunity to analyze and see the reality of the issues,” he said.

Ndayishimiye said the dialogue process to pacify eastern Congo and also ease tension between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is on course as the EAC and Angola verify allegations that Rwanda supports M23.

“I can’t say that we are lagging." We are prepared in advance. Regarding dialogue and reconciliation between the two states, the rapprochement is a good step, accepting to sit together is progress. "I consider it significant progress because there are meetings, and I have seen that the international community, such as the United Nations, European Union, and President Macron, who is president of the EU, are aware of the process to seek a solution and restore peace in that region,” Ndayishimye added.

Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, something that UN experts and US officials have also pointed out in recent months.

On the other hand, Kigali disputes the charge, accusing Kinshasa of collusion with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a former Rwandan Hutu rebel group established in the DRC after the genocide of the Tutsi community in 1994 in Rwanda.

EAC leaders and the international community have already given M23 an ultimatum to disarm and leave eastern Congo or be militarily forced out.

According to resolutions by all Chiefs of Defense Forces (CDFs) from all EAC member states, which were also endorsed by the presidents of Uganda, Burundi, the DRC, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, and Rwanda, all foreign armed groups operating in eastern Congo should voluntarily surrender and return to their countries.

“Foreign armed groups that do not voluntarily surrender and return to their countries are forcefully ejected from the territory of the DRC,” EAC officials noted in the communiqué. 

The leaders also “called upon all local armed groups to unconditionally disarm, embrace dialogue, and join the EAC-led Nairobi process in the quest for a lasting solution to the insecurity in the eastern DRC.” 

M23 is currently occupying the towns of Rutshuru, Kiwanja, Rumangabo, Kibumba, and Bunagana in North Kivu.

At the start of this month, Kenya deployed troops in eastern Congo under EACRF.

The commander of EACRF, Maj. Gen. Jeff Nyagah, said Kenyan troops are currently manning key installations, especially Goma International Airport from potential capture by M23 rebels.

Ugandan troops, according to the Army spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, are also ready for deployment under the EACRF.

The President of Burundi told France 24 that Burundi will be sending two battalions to eastern Congo as part of the EACRF.

EAC member states, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, and DRC are expected to send troops to eastern Congo under EACRF.

“We Are hopeful that armed forces will accept laying down arms,” Ndayishimiye said.