Could the Kivu Republic Be the Answer to the Eastern DRC Crisis? --[Reported by Umva mag]

For over three decades, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been plagued by relentless insecurity, with successive governments in Kinshasa struggling to address the root causes of the crisis. As violence continues to escalate, particularly in areas under government control, some regional analysts suggest that the independence of North and South Kivu Provinces could be a potential solution.

The proposal stems from the observation that regions under the control of the M23 rebel group are experiencing less violence compared to those controlled by the Congolese army coalition. The M23 rebels, who have taken control of significant territory in North Kivu since their resurgence in late 2021, claim they are not seeking to conquer territory but are compelled to defend their communities from persecution and violence.

The roots of the current conflict can be traced back to the refugee crisis following the 1994 genocide against Tutsi. Armed groups like the FDLR, composed of individuals involved in the genocide, have since established themselves in eastern DRC, contributing to ongoing violence. The UN’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, has highlighted the ethnic targeting and abuses occurring in the region, urging for an end to the violence.

The persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, particularly the Tutsi community, has led to the formation of rebel groups like M23, who see themselves as protectors against what they describe as an existential threat. The M23 rebels have consistently called for dialogue with the Kinshasa government, which has refused, labeling the group as terrorists.

The December 2023 report by the UN Group of Experts on the DRC points to the role of government-sponsored armed groups, like the Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP), in escalating violence. While atrocities are reported in areas under government and militia control, localities under M23 control have seen relative peace, leading some civilians to request that the rebels remain to protect them from potential massacres if the Congolese army and allied militias return.

Given President Tshisekedi’s refusal to engage in dialogue with M23 or to protect Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, the rebels see no alternative but to continue their fight to safeguard their community. Analysts argue that securing the Kivu Provinces under M23 control could put an end to the hostilities that have plagued eastern DRC for decades and pave the way for the return of refugees who have been displaced by the conflict.

The question remains whether the independence of these provinces could be the key to lasting peace in this troubled region.

The post Could the Kivu Republic Be the Answer to the Eastern DRC Crisis? appeared first on KIGALI DAILY NEWS.

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