No doubt Rwanda is backing M23 – President Felix Tshisekedi
By Racheal Nuwahereza
H.E Felix Tshisekedi, the President of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has said that there’s no doubt Rwanda supported M23 rebels in clashes in the east of his country that have displaced tens of thousands.
Speaking on Sunday after visiting neighboring Congo-Brazzaville where he met his counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso, Tshisekedi’s claims on Rwanda’s meddling come as his first in recent times as tensions between the two eastern Africa neighbors continue to rise.
“Rwanda should not mistake our desire for peace with weakness. I hope that Rwanda has learned this lesson because today, it’s clear. There is no doubt Rwanda has supported the M23 to come and attack the DRC,” he said.
The Government of Rwanda has consistently denied the accusations of backing the rebels adding that it is an internal crisis.
Last Monday, M23 rebels retreated from areas it had captured in the Congolese province of North Kivu. But on Friday it warned that the army was planning renewed attacks against its positions.
This Monday, renewed fighting was registered between the Congolese army and the rebels in Rutshuru area.
Major Willy Ngoma, the M23 spokesperson said the army started bombarding their positions in Jomba area early in the morning.
It is reported that in May, nearly 100,000 people fled their homes as the army clashed with the rebels near Goma town, the provincial capital.
Meanwhile, Angola’s President João Lourenço is organizing a summit between President Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame to ease the tensions, his office said last week.
Story by Tinyefuza Naboth
