RDC: Ministere de la Justice – Mise au Point (06.03.2025)

RDC: Ministere de l’Interieur, Securite, Decentralisation et Affaires Coutumieres – Communique Officiel (06.03.2025)

Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) – Lenten Pastoral Letter (03.03.2025)

South Sudan: Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM-(IO)) – Update on the airlifting of the remnant of SSPDF in Nasir (06.03.2025)

South Sudan: Tumaini Initiative – Press Statement on Unrest in South Sudan (06.03.2025)

DRC: Bemba claims Kabila supports the AFC/M23

 

“I have all the proof of Joseph Kabila’s support for the AFC rebels, the M23, and the Mobondo militia. That is why he fled the country. He went to Lubumbashi and left the territory through Zambia. He fled abroad because he knows he has been unmasked” (…) “They want to annex our country to Rwanda. So, dear young people, mobilize to defend our homeland” – Deputy Prime Minister of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo (05.03.2025).

Yesterday’s proclamation and statement from Bemba is a headache. As his claims of the predecessor and his possible involvement in the uprising, the rebellion and the financing of the AFC/M23. That is entangling one part of the political elite and the opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The party of PPRD would get into treacherous waters. There would be bridges the party and the leaders cannot pass. As the PPRD have been the party of Kabila. That is where his planned successor was and the electoral loser in previous elections. Therefore, we can have a lot of questions, as a former ally and a man who became a leader with Kabila. Bemba is now speaking loudly and alleging Kabila’s involvement in the AFC/M23. That will cause more heartache.

If Kabila is a supporter and a part of AFC/M23 than his using his wealth and influence to tarnish and destroy the sovereignty of the current rulers in Kinshasa. That is really a dangerous act, and he could face the law for doing. There are already questions about his origins and how he rose to power. Therefore, that doesn’t help and only causes more harm, as people needs answers.

The AFC/M23 needs to be bankrolled, have financing and logistical support. That has to be done both military and politically. As they rebellion needs that to be able to strike like it does an with such well-prepared militia operation.

M23 has been well known with being a proxy militia working inside the DRC. The M23 origins are from Rwanda and Uganda. Both nations have supported, trained and given logistical support to the militia. That isn’t shocking or revealing at this point. Meanwhile, the same partners help Laurent Kabila to power and most likely helped Joseph too. Therefore, he has proximity to them as well.

So, if Bemba has proof. That should be released and be told. This has to be proved, because this is treason and acting against the sovereign nation. As the AFC/M23 are annexing and taking over territories from the DRC government itself. Just like the Courts have targeted others who are a part of the AFC/M23. The same would happen to Kabila if Bemba has evidence and proof of it.

Bemba and the government should not just allege but prove it. Words are empty without evidence or any sort of proof. It is just hearsay and the public deserves more than just this. Yes, the allegations and the coordination of Rwanda and Uganda towards AFC/M23 is historical and visible, but the idea that the predecessor is part of it too. That needs more flesh on the bone. Not just Bemba, a former ally and a man who made peace with Kabila in the past. That man has to prove this and show the world what Kabila has done, if he has done it. Until then… we can question it and wonder if it is even true. Peace.

South Sudan: Where is IO’s FVP Dr. Riek Machar [is he under house-arrest?]

There are reports of heavy military deployment of the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) surrounding the home of First Vice President and SPLM/A-(IO) leader Dr. Riek Machar.

There are reports of troops, tanks and artillery-armoured vehicles who are now surrounding the home of Dr. Riek Machar. All of this doesn’t sound like a man who has freedom or allowed to leave his home.

This isn’t the first time that Dr. Riek Machar is feeling the pinch. He has been here before and this isn’t new to him. His silence is worrying though. There is no news from the SPLM/A-IO and no official statement from the party who is targeted and neither any sort of press release telling what is going at the residence of Machar.

The silence is worrying. The SPLM/A-(IO) are a part of the R-ARCSS and SPLM-IG is playing with fire here. The President can come with a humble message and call Machar a brother, but his arresting his associates, and claiming they are a part of the White Army or the insurgency in the Upper Nile state. Which is the reason why we are here and the claims of J1 and R-TGoNU isn’t clever. When the White Army states their associations and where they are coming from, which isn’t fitting the narratives parroted from Juba.

If Dr. Riek Machar is under house arrest. Then there are real ramifications of the R-ARCSS and the agreements of which the government are built upon. The other arrests of IO High Ranking Officials are troubling enough. The knowledge of a possibility of a house arrest is telling.

We are living in uncertainty, and it becomes this dire when the state isn’t institutionalized, but personalized. This is the failure of the J1 and the ones who hasn’t implemented the R-ARCSS within the time limits. They have postponed and postponed… and made it so painful. The government could have acted and planned a way ahead.

The FVP should make noise. He needs to be heard. Especially, if it is true. He needs to speak and release a letter at least. The concerns are out there, and the President cannot think anyone will accept this. The state has failed and that is why the White Army is existing. That isn’t Machar or IO fault, it is the whole government’s fault. Therefore, it is time to act and not vilify the IO. That game is getting old… and we don’t have to repeat old sins. Peace.

Kenya: Social Justice Center Working Group (SJCWG) – Social Justice Movement Condemns Extrajudicial Executions in Majengo and Demands Accountability (06.03.2025)

South Sudan: Naath White Army – Clarification on the Situation in Nasir and Response to Government Statement (05.03.2025)

South Sudan: IGAD Calls for Restraint and Dialogue Amid Rising Tensions in Nasir County, South Sudan (05.03.2025)