The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, hardened his tone Thursday, in the face of the violence of the M23 rebellion, supported according to Kinshasa by Rwanda, promising his determination to oppose a “double diplomatic and military front” against to this worrying situation of insecurity.
Tshisekedi made the remarks during a speech on the occasion of the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of his country’s accession to independence. « Our country is facing yet another aggression from Rwanda, which is acting under cover of the M23 terrorist movement, in violation of all international agreements and treaties », he lamented, knowing that at least one locality is under the control of M23 in the northeast of the country.
“Guarantor of national unity and cohesion, I reiterate my constitutional oath to maintain independence and territorial integrity and to safeguard national unity. I reassure the Congolese people in all their diversity that I will spare no effort to ensure that peace and security are restored, and that the aggressors are pushed out of our territory,” he said.
Is Tshisekedi counting, among other things, on the deployment of the regional force recently decided by the Community of East African States? The Congolese president declared that this force should « contribute to the definitive eradication of violence and insecurity » in the east of the country, and he informed that he had « demanded and obtained that Rwanda not take part in it, in because of his involvement alongside the terrorist group M23 ».
The Congolese number one also called for general mobilization behind the armed forces (FARDC), while welcoming the support they already enjoy from the population.
« While appreciating at its fair value the manifest support that our people show on a daily basis for our defense and security forces, I launch a solemn appeal for general mobilization, whatever our differences elsewhere, in in order to intensify this unfailing popular support which does so much good to the morale of our combatants engaged at the front », he continued.
« My appeal is addressed, in a very particular way, to our youth whom I invite to enlist massively in the FARDC and in the national police », insisted the Head of State.
Regarding the diplomatic channel, Tshisekedi reiterated his remarks, according to which the choice of the “option for peace” and the “sense of good neighborly relations do not constitute a weakness”. In this context, he plans to make use of « all legal remedies » likely to allow the Congolese people to live « definitively in peace and tranquility on their territory ».
For the president, “peace and security remain (…) the absolute priority. The DRC has already paid a heavy price with nearly 10 million dead as well as several million other people displaced following the atrocities of the forces of aggression and other terrorist groups supported by foreign powers”.
By OMA Newsletter N° 765 of 01/07/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
