RDC: Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) – Reaction aux accusations infodees du pretendu rapport du groupe d’experts des NU a l’endoit de M23 (05.08.2022)

RDC: Action Alternative pour le Bien-Etre et le Changement (AAB) – Communique de Presse du Regroupement Politique AAB relatif a la Detention Arbitraire du Camarade Jimmy Kitenge Manganda, Communicateur du Front Commun pour le Congo (FCC) – (05.08.2022)

RDC: Ministere de la Communication et Medias – Communique de Presse (04.08.2022)

Rwanda: Response to unvalidated allegations by UN Group of Experts (04.08.2022)

RDC: Ministere de la Commuication et Medias – Communique de Presse (01.08.2022)

RDC: MOUNSCO – La MONUSCO reconnait un incident grave survenu a la frontiere entre la RDC et l’Ouganda, a Kasinid (31.07.2022)

DRC: M23 Commander Gen. Sultani Makenga has resurfaced in North Kivu…

General Sultani MAKENGA is “RESUSCITATED” and appeared today on July 30 in JOMBA in North Kivu his locality of origin in the company of Jean MWIGAMBA the former administrator of Rutshuru. For the “Thomas” here it is” (General Sultani Makenga, 30.07.2022).

Since late May 2022 the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) have resurgent in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has since then been able to hold on to certain territory in the Northern Kivu province. The FARDC haven’t been able to repel or getting rid of the threat of the militia.

The M23 have caused a diplomatic crisis from Kinshasa towards Kigali, but not added tensions towards Kampala. While there been found Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) within the M23 battalions, also munitions and equipment from the RDF. Shows, there are uncertain questions of how the M23 is funded and trained this time. Yes, M23 fighters and combatants was allowed to be within the Ugandan territory in camps, which was at one point in Kisoro and later moved to Kasese. However, this has been a secret based on the Nairobi Declaration, which the M23 claims have been reversed by the Kinshasa government later.

What is striking is how connected Gen. Makenga is to Kigali and President Kagame. Just like other militia leaders who was later “house-arrested” in Rwanda. So, even with the dialogue, diplomatic meetings and such. Kigali and Kinshasa knows the gist of it here. Gen. Makenga have even in the past been in direct dialogue and talks with former President Joseph Kabila. So, it’s not like he doesn’t know the game and how he can tactically change his position.

With that in mind. Here is a little back-story on the M23 Commander!

BBC Profile of him in 2013:

Col Makenga, 40, often walked around with a stick – it symbolised that he was both a cattle-herder and a military commander who demanded order and discipline from his troops. A tall, thin man born to an ethnic Tutsi family and raised in the hills of the volcanic South Kivu region, Col Makenga had a reputation of being a sharp-shooter and a shrewd and wily military strategis” (…) “Col Makenga honed his military skills in Rwanda, where he fought on the side of President Paul Kagame’s mainly Tutsi rebels before they took power in Kigali in 1994, ending a genocide that claimed some 800,000 lives in three months” (Farouk Chothia – ‘Profile: Sultani Makenga, DR Congo’s M23 rebel leader’, 07.11.2013, BBC News).

Stearns profile of him in 2013:

In May 2012, Makenga defected from the Congolese army and joined the M23 rebellion, being elevated to the rank of general. Shortly afterward, he was named commander of M23” (…) “Makenga’s reputation is of a taciturn but straight-shooting commander who commands respect from his soldiers. Rumours have surrounded his health for many years. He was visibly unwell during the M23 advance in 2012 and speculation has intensified since the M23 took control of Goma” (Jason Stearns – ‘M23’S OPERATIONAL COMMANDER’, Rift Valley Institute, 03.12.2013).

So, with Gen. Makenga resurfacing and proudly showing himself to the world. It’s a sign that M23 wants to be recognized. They are not caring about the Luanda sessions. The M23 is ready and active. Their mission isn’t done and they are focused on whatever they are aspiring to right now.

They are causing problems for the FARDC, which is the reason for why they are still able to keep some territories in the North Kivu Province. The M23 are capable and have the military training to do so. The FARDC could easily be stretched and there M23 isn’t the only one in the Kivu provinces. There are several other entities and militias that is causing havoc in the Kivu provinces.

Now we have to wait for the long-con. The M23 is scheming something and planning further their agenda. Gen. Makenga would maybe try to invade Goma yet again. He and the M23 has done that before. We don’t know why they resurgent this year. Certainly with something in sight and that will uncovered with time. The question of training, source of funding and military equipment will also be told. Just like the gist and drips of little knowledge we have since May 2022. The RDF and Kigali cannot run away from that now. This is maybe why Kagame and Tshisekedi has met and discussed the matter. Because, everyone knows about it now.

It is just striking to see a picture of Gen. Sultani Makenga in 2022. That’s wasn’t something I thought I would see, but here we are and that’s how confident he is. Peace.

RDC: Front Commun pour le Congo (FCC) – Declaration Politique des Communicateurs du FCC (30.07.2022)

RDC: Societe Civile Forces Vives du Nord-Kivu – Communique de Presse No. 13 (28.07.2022)

RDC: Collectif d’Actions de la Societe Civile (CASC) – Declaration du Collectif d’Actions de la Societe Civile, CASC relatif aux Manifestations Publiques a Goma (27.07.2022)