Jerry Nguwa, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
The instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is never complete until Uganda and Rwanda are mentioned alongside the DR Congo.The three countries make a lethal triumvirate conflict wise that has claimed million of lives and displaced many others since 1998. The recent conflict instigated by the Movement of March 23 (M23) is not any different as locals in the Congo affirm to have come across Ugandan troops fighting alongside Rwandan recruits and Congolese Banyamulenge.
Shortly after the M23 started fighting in Eastern DR. Congo, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda flew to Entebbe on an unofficial visit to meet his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in two secrets meeting before returning incognito to Rwanda. From there on, the M23 rebellion was rejuvenated with new uniforms and sophisticated military equipment leave alone an impressive fire power that the DR. Congo could stand.
According to Cardinal Monsengwo Pasinya, all started with the economic crisis in the west. The recession effects culminated in a mutiny within the Congolese Army and later a Movement (M23) that would initiate the struggle to “topple” President Joseph Kabila government.
As if to divulgate the of Kagame and Museveni’s secret meeting agenda, the rebellion confined itself along the Rwanda – Congo border and ensured the capture of key Coltan mining sites. They fought also very hard to capture and control the economic border point of Bunagana between Uganda and the DR. Congo.
This strategy not only guaranteed the Movement of March 23 (M23) a safe escape route to Rwanda and Uganda in case things did not work for them, but also opened a secure channel for precious materials that leave Eastern Congo to global markets.
Another hypothesis for their effort to control totally the border with Uganda and Rwanda was to enable the intervention of mercenaries from these bordering countries as the Civil Society in Eastern Congo claims. There are even rumors of Ugandan troops entering DR. Congo through Bunagana. The civil population in Eastern Congo affirm to have come across M23 fighters who only spoke English; a foreign language in the Congo.
The United Nations and some members of the International Community have started halting their financial assistance to Rwanda in a move aimed at putting pressure on Kagame to end his support to the M23 rebellion. Uganda has not been affected yet.
Ironically, Kampala is organizing a conference this week to discuss the war in the Congo and the way forward. It is not the first time Uganda is mediating a Congolese conflict that it involved. One thing though is that of seeing if this conflict will follow the usual script.
The instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is never complete until Uganda and Rwanda are mentioned alongside the DR Congo.The three countries make a lethal triumvirate conflict wise that has claimed million of lives and displaced many others since 1998. The recent conflict instigated by the Movement of March 23 (M23) is not any different as locals in the Congo affirm to have come across Ugandan troops fighting alongside Rwandan recruits and Congolese Banyamulenge.
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