Kabila's Comeback: Sparking Hope and Anxiety in Congo
In an open letter, Kabila stated that he planned to come back to the Democratic Republic of Congo through its eastern region; however, the letter did not disclose which specific city or what exact date he was expected to arrive.
The announcement has ignited public discussion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where an M23 representative rejoiced over Kabila’s choice to come back via the eastern part of the nation, viewing it as evidence that areas like Goma—which were previously "hotspots of instability"—have transformed into sanctuaries of tranquility. Read: Ex-President Kabila Reenters Political Arena Amid War In his letter, Kabila defended his move by highlighting the critical state of security and institutions within the DRC and conveyed his readiness to aid efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing national crisis.
The opposition leader Moïse Katumbi, who contested against President Félix Tshisekedi in the previous presidential elections, stated that Kabila’s comeback indicated the intention of Congo's elite to address the ongoing issues in the eastern region conclusively.
Katumbi's spokesperson, Olivier Kamitatu, stated that President Kabila's upcoming visit to "Goma, a symbol of our nation's sovereignty," conveys a strong message: "The conflict in Congo cannot be solved solely through outside involvement. Our peace and future depend primarily within our own borders." Conversely, Tshisekedi’s party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), contends that Kabila's return indicates his continuous support for the M23 rebel group. As Augustin Kabuya, the UDPS secretary-general, put it, "Now he is operating more overtly."
Within the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), President Kabila’s political group, the news sparked great excitement among members. “What truly matters is that people feel contented. Regardless of where things ultimately lead, the Tshisekedi administration, which had sought every opportunity to engage positively with this outcome, should certainly find reason to celebrate. This development serves as a symbolic gesture aimed at easing tensions across the nation. All parties involved now ought to convene at one negotiating table to pursue lasting harmony,” stated Ferdinand Kambere, who holds the position of Deputy Secretary-General within the PPRD.
Hubert Kabasubabo, a previous governor of Kasai in southern Congo who is currently opposed to the regime, questioned whether this reported return had been authorized by the President.
Some experts think that Kabila might return to serve as an intermediary and engage in negotiations with President Tshisekedi’s administration. There is a belief among these observers that Kabila holds greater influence compared to Corneille Nangaa or Bertrand Bisimwa, both prominent figures within the M23/AFC movement who have been significantly penalized by Western nations.
A commentator, speaking anonymously for frankness as he is near Kabila, informed The EastAfrican that it was Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé — who received backing from AU head João Lourenço to lead the negotiations regarding the Congo crisis — who persuaded Kabila to come back home with a message of reconciliation. "Faure, Joseph Kabila, and Félix Tshisekedi are heirs to prominent African figures; thus, they must consider safeguarding the legacies left behind by their distinguished fathers," stated my informant.
As they await further details about the anticipated comeback, the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo clings to Kinshasa’s characterization of the Doha process. Originally scheduled for April 9, representatives from the Kinshasa government were set to hold talks with members of the M23 group, facilitated by the Emir of Qatar.
As for the rebels, they have established prerequisites prior to engaging in talks with the Kinshasa government. One of these demands from the M23 involves President Tshisekedi making "a solemn statement demonstrating his administration's commitment to directly negotiate with the AFC/M23." Additionally, the M23 insists upon "annulling every death sentence, dismissing charges, revoking arrest warrants, and offering incentives for assistance leading to the capture of AFC/M23 leadership figures by the Kinshasa authorities," as this would pave the way for political discussions. These stipulations aim at undermining one of Kinshasa’s primary strategies employed against the rebel group during the last twelve months. President Tshisekedi had previously hinted at potentially invoking capital punishment—a statute still on record yet unenforced for four decades now.
Kinshasa also designated the M23 as a terrorist organization and stated that they would not engage in negotiations with them.
Lately, though, the Congolese government has taken a softer approach, first consenting to meet in Luanda, Angola; however, that meeting did not occur as the M23 withdrew. Subsequently, President Tshisekedi had an encounter with Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame, in Doha, facilitated by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During their discussion, both leaders committed themselves to working towards a truce and initiating direct peace negotiations.
A further stipulation from M23 is that Kinshasa should "halt and outlaw all forms of hate speech, typically succeeded by oppressive actions… cease every act of discrimination and deprivation of citizenship towards the aforementioned groups; immediately free all individuals—whether civilian or military—who have been detained or charged with affiliating with the AFC/M3 based on their race, ethnicity, or associations through profession, friendship, or commerce with members of the AFC/M23; also, revoke any additional restrictive policies enforced by the Kinshasa administration against the AFC/M23 to facilitate ongoing and successful political dialogues." Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).