M23 | M23 negotiations 

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, who is also the Minister for Communication and Media, has said negotiations with M23 rebels will only commence if rebels vacate Bunagana. 

“The position of the Congolese Government will not change. The M23 must first leave Bunagana before continuing with the said negotiations,” Muyaya said during a press conference in Kinshasa on Monday. 

“When we left for Luanda with the President of the republic, 48 hours before, President Museveni contacted President Tshisekedi to ask him to send a delegation to discuss with him the situation in the East and for the latter to propose possible solutions. President Museveni gave his opinion which is not ours. The M23 and all its henchmen must return to their initial positions. Our position does not change. They must leave Bunagana. We are firm on this subject,” Muyaya added, noting that although they welcome Museveni's advice, the proposed negotiations with M23 will only take place if they vacate Bunagana. 

Last week on Thursday, Museveni called for dialogue as the magic bullet that will solve the crisis in eastern Congo, especially the current stand-off between the Congolese Government and the M23 rebels. 

In his address to a delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at State House, Entebbe, the President also rooted for a ceasefire by all armed actors in eastern Congo. 

“If you want to fight and win, you must fight a just war,” Museveni said. 

According to a statement issued by the State House, Museveni also commended the President of DRC, Felix Tshisekedi, for what he described as “his efforts” to stabilize DRC. 

“He thanked him for strengthening bilateral cooperation between Uganda and Congo since he came to office. The President advised that the correct way to solve the problem of insecurity in the Congo is to have a cease-fire in place, engage the regional leaders and have a dialogue in place with the M23 people so that you listen to their issues,” State House officials said in a statement. 

The DRC delegation was led by the Senior Minister of Works, Alexis Gisaro Muvunyi, who delivered Tshisekedi’s special message to Museveni. 

The DRC delegation also had the Special Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs, Maj. Gen Ntumba Frank Buamunda and the Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Lt. Gen. Rwuibasira Obed Ruyumba. 

State House officials said in his message to Museveni, that the DRC President sought guidance from his Ugandan counterpart on how best the eastern Congo crisis can be solved. 

“Addressing the Congolese Delegation, President Museveni thanked President Tshisekedi for sending him a high-level delegation to talk about peace in Congo, and the Great Lakes Region at large,” State House officials said in a statement. 

“On his Part, the Head of the delegation and Congolese Senior Minister of Works Muvunyi conveyed warm regards from President Tshisekedi to President Museveni. He said that since President Tshisekedi took power, he has developed an open political relationship with everyone in Congo and with neighbors,” the statement added. 

Muvunyi added that DRC is open to dialogue with M23, which is currently occupying Bunagana. 

“We are open to negotiations, we accepted regional forces to come, but they (M23) have to show goodwill,” he said, noting that DRC does not want arms in the region but development. 

“The Congolese delegation commended the recent strides made between Uganda and The Democratic Republic of Congo when the two states agreed to have a joint force to flash out ADF, the building of two roads in Congo and starting of direct flights of Uganda Airlines to Congo,” State House officials said, adding that the meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of DRC to Uganda, Jean Pierre Massala. 

Museveni’s take on the eastern Congo crisis comes two weeks after the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and Tshisekedi held a meeting in Angola where they agreed to de-escalate hostilities.  

The talks between the two leaders were chaired by the chief mediator, the President of Angola, Joao Lourenco, who is also the chairperson of the International Conference of Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).   

The talks centered on the simmering tension between Rwanda and DRC, especially the general security situation in eastern Congo.  

While DRC officials allege that Rwanda supports M23 rebels, on the other hand, Rwanda also alleges that DRC supports the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group Kigali accuses of inciting genocide tendencies.   

In an interview with the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency recently, Kagame said: “I wish for the best for both of us, DR Congo and Rwanda. But if the best doesn't come, it should always find me prepared for the worst. So, that is the first way I approach it. I prepare for the worst, but also wish for the best, and I wish Congo the best.”  

In November 2021, Uganda on the invitation of DRC deployed Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) for a joint Operation Shujaa hunt for Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in eastern Congo.  

Last month, leaders from the East African Community (EAC) also agreed to deploy joint forces in eastern Congo.   

The decision for joint deployment was reached during the 3rd Conclave meeting chaired by the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, who is also the chairperson of EAC, a regional bloc of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.      

The deployment, EAC leaders said, should be immediate, with DRC taking the lead.   

Commenting about the hostilities in eastern Congo, the President of Rwanda in an interview with the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency said: “The problems in that region can’t be solved by force of arms, they require political solutions.”   

Kagame also responded to protests that Rwanda should not be part of the joint EAC force that will be deployed in eastern Congo, saying that: “That is fine. We are not begging anyone to participate. I would be happy for the problems there to be solved without our involvement.”