The Silent War: Are the next targets of M23 – Bukavu and Beni?

The takeover of the Mouvement of March 23 (M23) and Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) of the city of Goma is telling. The manner of which the regime of Kigali is playing this one out. As they are trying to be a victim in all of it. Meanwhile, the M23 is continuing its operation and trying to forge the narrative as the saviour of the region. That’s what the Kigali and the ones running this proxy militia is doing.

The M23/AFC aren’t there to save the South Kivu or North Kivu Province. The ones believing this haven’t seen them before. It isn’t the first time M23 has taken over Goma or the last time a Rwandan supported militia has annexed territories in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They are just operational with a military wing and a political wing. Which is showing they are well prepared and knows the weaknesses of the FARDC and the Wazalendo allies.

The ones in Kigali has support from the likes of General James Kararebe. We shouldn’t be shocked if the ones in Kampala isn’t busy scheming as well. Since we are seeing Andrew Mwenda becoming a spokesperson and a “pan-african” journalist all of sudden. His speaking in tongue and speaking of the blessings of this conflict. Alas, that is disingenuous and we know his The Independent Magazine has been bailed out by Kigali in the past too.

So with that all in mind. There is a bigger play here. That’s why Kigali speaks of dissolving the Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda (FDLR), but M23 are playing another game now. They are targeting and consolidating power. Even like in the past, the CNDP even stated the will of invading and conquering Kinshasa. Now M23 are on the same lingo and mojo.

This is a game of getting in control and power. This is a proxy-militia taunting and haunting the government. It is used as a tool ensure the routes of cobalt and other minerals to enter into the Republic of Rwanda. They need those and this is easiest way of access. As the porous borders and lack of morals and operational army are able to destroy the FARDC. That’s what the M23 and their backers are seeing. This is why it has momentum and continuing their warpath.

If the M23 was there to end FDLR. They would have done it in a different way and the leaders of Kigali wouldn’t have played it this way. It isn’t believable that the Kigali are there to save the Kivu provinces. Not like they have come as saviours before and only gone their to pillage and loot in the past.

We should hear sooner or later that the M23 are knocking on the door of Bukavu and days later at Beni. This is where they are going in both directions. That’s to take over and be the leaders of the provinces. That would be a huge victory of the M23 and their insurgency. Just like they were able to take over Goma. It is just to prove to Kinshasa that its powerless in this side of the Republic.

The FARDC and Wazalendo are in trouble and been for some time. Neither are their allies helping them out either. They aren’t capable of containing and stopping the advances of the M23. That’s why we should see M23 within rage of Bukavu. Later we will see Beni…

This is just telling and we should be worried. Everyone is calling for Kinshasa to talk of dialogue, but Kigali and Kampala has to play their part too. They are also involved and kept ex-militants on their territories until they allowed them to cross the borders. That was done when they thought of a positive window for re-engagement and that is showing now. Peace.

RDC: Union pour la Democratie et le Progres Social (UDPS) – Communique No. 003 (30.01.2025)

RDC: Forces Armees Republique Democratique du Congo (FARDC) – Troisieme Zone de Defense Quartier General Avance Coordinnation Scifa – Communique de Presse No. 002 (30.01.2025)

RDC: Coalition des Democrates (CODE) – Declaration du regroupment Politique Coalition Des Democrates, CODE en Sigle (30.01.2025)

RDC: Adolphe Muzito – Les Dix Recommandations – La Guerre contre le Rwanda (29.01.2025)

RDC: Province du Sud-Kivu – Arrete Provincial No. 25 – Portant Suspension de la Navigation sur le Lac Kivu (29.01.2025)

RDC: Lucha – Soutien aux FARDC et appel a des mobilisations pacifiques non-stop en solidarite a la population de Goma, pas de Congo sans Goma (28.01.2025)

RDC: Martin Fayulu – Communique de Presse (28.01.2025)

RDC: Assemble Nationale – Communique de Presse (27.01.2025)

RDC: Societe Congolaise pour l’Etat de Droit (SCED) – Communique No. 0301 (27.01.2025)