Opinion: The troubling shadow-game within the Great Lakes Region

There is an issue that returns and returns, something that never leaves. The bullets and the victims doesn’t stop. The armies and militias are continuing. They have sponsors and they have fields of tax to continue their looting of either South Kivu Province or the North Kivu Province. This has been going-on, but continues to this day.

Therefore, these days things are getting worse. The realities on the ground is hard figure and the players are acting aloof. Even as they are all playing victims of insurgency, as long as they are sponsoring insurgencies in proxy within the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Ugandans are known for supporting the M.R.C.D., the former FDLR and RNC combined group whose targeting the counterpart Rwanda. MRCD has promised to fight to overthrow Paul Kagame.

While the Rwandan Patriotic Army or Rwandan Defence Force is now in the DRC to fight the militias together with MONUSCO and FARDC. They are still following genocidaires and others there. Even the groups supported by the powers in Kampala. This being CMI and others who is giving training, ammunition and so-on.

While the Rwandan government isn’t innocent as they are supporting the Red-Tabara who is targeting Burundi and hunts for the head of Pierre Nkurunziza. Therefore, the Burundian is stressed by this.

The Burundi supported militia Mai-Mai has in the end also attacked Rwanda too. That is why all of these are using other militias, which is organized within the provinces of Kivu. While having bases there and being a proxy to attack the ones whose enemies of the head of state, who happens to control the various of Republics.

Taht is why this is worrying, as the intelligence and the means are there. That the Ugandan (Museveni) are having meetings and connections to the militias who works to topple Kagame. While Kagame are supporting another militia to topple Nkurunziza. As well, as Nkurunziza is supporting another militia to topple Kagame. Surely this East African Community (EAC) isn’t that friendly, neither is their intentions.

That they are all using various of groups, name-salads. Supported through the soft-borders of the DRC. To ensure their looting and enriching the supporters. While they are trying to find a way to ensure the end-game is secured. That their enemy and their neighbour is another leader, who they can have as a puppet.

What is worse too is that these groups are extending the harm, the deaths and the massacres in the Kivu’s. They are creating this and the masters across the borders are doing it for greed and for high of power. That they can use proxy warfare to extend their will. This is what they are doing with the various of groups. Just like the Ugandan-Rwandan used to do with the M23 and others in the past. Now, they are targeting each other and using militias for their own benefit. While Burundi has thrown their coins into the mix too, hoping for positive returns.

That should worry the FARDC, MONUSCO and the elite of Kinshasa. As their territory is used as battlefield and also as a training ground for insurgency. That will not create sustainable peace. Since, this will not silence the guns, but instead it will import the guns. That is the mere reality and reason why the silent war of Kivu’s continues. Peace.

Burundi: Communique du Gouvernement de la Republique du Burundi Suite a l’Agression du Rwanda contre le Burundi (28.11.2019)

DRC: Conflicting statements on the skirmishes at Kusisa in South Kivu Province

“Major fighting took place yesterday in Kusisa (Kalehe territory, South Kivu) between the Congolese army and the CNRD, a Rwandan rebellion that resulted from a split with the FDLR in 2016” (Kivu Security, 27.11.2019).

There are apparently two different views to what happened in Kusisa, Kalehe territory in South-Kivu province. What it says, there are claims of the violence towards civilians in a refugee camp by government soldiers and Rwandan soldiers camouflaged as so in South Kivu. While the Rwandan government claims the militia caused these attacks. The MRCD have already promised to wage war against Kigali, while they are still based in the DRC.

Clearly, they could play for the facade, but we never know in these instances. The MRCD claims a total different picture from the Rwandese, both using the UN documentation, while the DRC reporter states what the FARDC says it does. Therefore, it is hard to know what’s going on. But something is up and civilians are the casualties in all of this.

MRCD Statement:

“On the night of 25 to 26 November 2019, the FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC), together with the Rwandan soldiers in Congolese army uniform, attacked and destroyed the Rwandan refugee camp in Kalehe territory in South Kivu. The Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD-Ubumwe) had nevertheless alerted the International Community of the imminence of these attacks given the encirclement of this camp since 13/11/2019 by members of the RDF (Rwandese Defence Forces) disguised as Congolese soldiers. We denounce the silence and passivity of the International Community before such massacres against the survivors of the genocide perpetrated in Congo by the same troops of General Paul KAGAME in 1996-1998, as proved in the UN Mapping Report: These massacres of refugees are committed with the indifference of the UN military force MONUSCO, which has been present in the DRC since 1999. The MRCD-Ubumwe also recalls that MONUSCO has several soldiers not far from this camp of attacked refugees” (MRCD – ‘Rwandan soldiers in Congolese army uniform, attacked and destroyed the Rwandan refugee camp in Kalehe territory’ 26.11.2019).

Rwandan Embassy in Brussels Statement:

“Recently, and to the knowledge of the Belgian authorities, it has been proven that two politico military platforms named P5 and MRCD operate from the Kingdom of Belgium where some of its leaders are staying, including Paul Rusesabagina, who heads the Rwandan Movement for Peace. Democratic Change (MRCD Ubumwe), Faustin Twagiramungu and Placide Kayumba (Vice President of the United Democratic Forces (UDF) and co-founder of Jambo ASBL). This group meets regularly, signs pacts and raises funds for the sole purpose of overthrowing the Rwandan government by force. The details of the activities of the P5 military branch led by the Rwanda National Congress led by Kayumba Nyamwasa and the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) were analyzed in a report by the UN expert group. on the Congo from December 2018. As a reminder, the FDLR are the ideological heirs of the perpetrators of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994 and since their presence in eastern Congo are responsible for systematic killings and rapes. In spite of these criminal acts, members of the ASBL under Belgian law called “Jambo ASBL”, actively involved in a misinformation campaign against Rwanda, regularly visited the eastern part of the Congo to meet with them. FDLR leaders” (Rwanda in Belgium – ‘Le Rwanda déplore que la presse belge fasse l’écho d’une campagne visant à le déstabiliser’ 27.11.2019).

Reports from the DRC:

“Information confirmed by the FARDC that announce that on the orders of the high military hierarchy, the operational sector Sukola 2 South Kivu and North Kivu, launched this Tuesday, November 26, an offensive against the armed group CNRD with the objective of neutralizing this group armed foreign active on Congolese soil. “For the only day of this Tuesday, November 26, the FARDC have already recovered the localities of Kitindiro, Rutare1 and 2, Bibatama and Nganjo, formerly under control CNRD. The populations of all these localities are asked to remain calm and to dissociate themselves with all these armed groups “, adds captain Dieudonné Kasereka military spokesman of the operation Sukola 2 South South-kivu” (Justin Mwamba – ‘Sud-Kivu : les FARDC récupèrent plusieurs localités jadis occupées par les CNRD à Kahele’ 27.11.2019, Actulite.cd).

We can clearly see that none of them is denouncing the skirmishes, the battles nor the actually fatalities in South Kivu Province. However, the FARDC says its liberated parts of the territory, while the MRCD claims the army did crimes against humanity and went after civilians in a refugee camp. That is not the story from the FARDC. But who would confess that directly? Secondly, what militia doesn’t want goodwill and try to portray their enemies in the worst light? Thirdly, what government doesn’t want to defend themselves, against the ones who want to overthrow it?

That is all reasonable, but, a very important but, someone is lying here. Someone is not coming with a straight face. There is a lie here and I cannot catch it. As there are two much between the lines and that I have no knowledge of. What we do know, is that Rwandan soldiers has been and easily could be in the Kivu provinces. The MRCD and allies are working to get rid of Kagame, that is a mere fact. FARDC has a bad rep together with MONUSCO to not shield citizens. Therefore, there is a lot at stake and also open questions. Neither do I trust the FARDC, the MRCD nor the Rwandan in this matter. Because, they could all be lying. However, there must be truth there somewhere, but I cannot see that either.

That’s because they are all lying and in war, the first thing that is the innocent and the innocence of people. They are all using all means to win. It doesn’t matter which side of the gun you are, as long as your not on the losing side. Because, that means either punishment or death. That’s why all of these will tell stories, will amplify or even spread propaganda for their own narrative. I just don’t know who to believe. That’s my issue. What’s the real issue is that by all accounts, civilians and refugees was in the midsts of cross-fire and certainly someone died because of warlords was busy tormenting the region. Peace.

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XVIII: Uganda Media Centre – Press Statement on Fabrication of the alleged RNC Committee in Uganda (22.11.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XVII: Kagame warning and now postpone the 2nd Ad-Hoc Meeting!

“You cannot be here benefitting from the peace and security that we have created, that we have paid for in blood over many years and then you do things behind our backs and cause us problems. We will put you where you belong, there is no question about it” – President Paul Kagame (14.11.2019).

Today is yet another snag in the relations and the growing tensions between the Republic of Rwandan and the Republic of Uganda. Where the two big-men’s pride continue to stride and cost for the public. This is after yet more questionable deaths at the border point between Rwanda and Uganda this weekend.

In September 2019, the parties had agreed to hold a second Ad-Hoc Meeting, but by mid-October there was nothing in sight. The Rwandan diplomats and such was crying foul, but nothing happened about it. They were awaiting an invitation for a meeting, but now that it has come. The Rwandan parts has cancelled the Second Ad-Hoc Meeting in mid-November 2019.

This is all happening after the Luanda Memorandum of Understanding signed by the parties on the 21^st August 2019. Therefore, the whole time after this there been no change between the parties. As the border points are closed. The lack of trade and the closure of movement, which has happen because of allegations and finding of illegal arrests of Rwandan citizens inside Uganda. And the support of militias to undermine Kigali. Clearly, the parties have a lot of things to work with combined with the measures made by Rwanda, with closure of border, suspend trade and also violent attacks across the border points towards Ugandan citizens. This is all creating a uneasy field and tensions between the Republics.

This has now happen during most of this calendar year, since the start in about March 2019. That is why this is an continuation of the policies and the acts of both governments. The lack of trust and the playing games. Doesn’t make this better and shows the value of an MoU. Which is at this point worthless, as the Ad-Hoc Commission is doing nothing to settle the score nor making the parties work together. That is why since September 2019, there been no progress or proof of finding any middle ground. To stop either insurgencies, to support militias, to stop the policies of trade and everything else. The supposed aliens and spies from Kigali in Kampala too. All of this is creating an uneasy atmosphere.

What we are learning with time is that the egos of Museveni and Kagame is strong. As none of them is backing down and is warning each other. The Republics and the egos are now spiralling this out. They are not only testing the grounds, but there are already victims there. That has been on both sides of border and this will continue. As long as they are doing this to each other.

Today’s revelation of the cancellation of the second Ad-Hoc Meeting isn’t only a worry, but shows that Rwandans are answering the warning note after the fatalities during the weekend. This is happening after mid last month, they were awaiting an invitation to another meeting. Therefore, the last Kigali meeting of September is the last word for now.

Both Kagame and Museveni needs to talk, sit down properly, kiss and make-up. They got to not only make a worthless document and a process, which creates nothing. That is futile and a waste of time. They need to negotiate and actually iron these things out. Since, this cost innocent civilians, this costs trade and also suspects illegal activity by both parties. Which is again infusing more uncertainty between the neighbours, which should be more friendly between brothers. Now, they are making small battles and small tiny victories, but nobody is really winning. As they are just postponing either diplomacy or filling the chambers with guns.

We rather hope for peace, not war. But these two are warlords who rules the Republics. They are known for militias, warfare and using armed personnel to get their way. Back-in-the-day, they worked together, but now the pride is going to their head. They want to be on top and be the big-man of the region. Neither want to look small compared to the other. That is how it seems. Instead of settling the difference and just talk. Peace.

Uganda: A Protest Note to the Rwandan Security Personnel at the Uganda-Rwanda Border Point (12.11.2019)

Rwanda National Police: Press Release (10.11.2019)

Rwanda: Le Parti FDU-Inkingi Prend Acte de la Decision de sa Presidente de creer un nouveau parti au Rwanda suite a l’Ompossibilite de pouvoir cordonner ses Activites (09.11.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XV: Kagame’s Presser reveals a deep dived

The Ugandan-Rwandan tensions has been an issue for a while now. It started with a border closing between Rwanda and Uganda. As both parties have alleged insurgency and acts of ill intent from both parties. This being Rwandan spies in Kampala and Ugandan sponsored militias to cause a power-change in Kigali. This is all in the mix. As there are reports of sponsored militias from Kampala in the Democratic Republic of Congo and reports of militia leaders and rebels currently detained in Rwanda. Certainly, the stalemate and the brotherly love between the Republic is gone.

This from two heads of state, which has worked together since the late-80s or early 1990s. As the Ugandan President had Kagame as part of his intelligence team, before the RPA, now RPF took control of Rwanda by using military bases in Uganda. Therefore, these two gentlemen knows this and how to operate this. As they both also was involved in toppling the President Mobutu and Laurent Kabila in the Democratic Republic of Congo and have ever since been war-lords there.

That is why these two men knows what at stake. They know what game they are playing. Both President Paul Kagame and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has played this one out before. They have seen how this goes and now its been a back-and-fourth since March 2019. It continues to go. While the RNC, FDLR, MRCD and whatever name they go by these days. Continue to cause a stir in Kigali. We know something is up with both gentlemen, we just don’t know what.

Press Conference:

“We have had officials of both countries meeting in Angola and in Kigali. We were supposed to have another meeting in Kampala on the 16th of October but there was no communication until we later read of an invitation in papers” (…) “There is also a problem of our citizens who are imprisoned in Ugandan prisons without trial” (…) “We restricted our citizens from travelling to Uganda because they are arrested at these same borders. How do you expect countries to trade when certain citizens are arrested the moment they cross the border?” (Paul Kagame, 08.11.2019).

What Paul Kagame said yesterday are talking points of the critics of Kampala. Certainly, the Ugandan counterparts have arrested and detained needlessly Rwandan citizens by the CMI, Flying Squad and ESO. This is known by “safe-houses” and other ungazetted buildings where suspects are kept without court order and so-on, on suspicion of ill-activity.

Therefore, what Kagame said wasn’t untrue, neither wrong, but his high and mighty isn’t righteous either. As he has self-inflicted lot of harm. He has supported plenty of armed militias and rebels. His also brutally silenced dissidents by any method in the book. That’s why Kagame should look into his own actions as well. Not just throw shade at Museveni. They are both playing these games.

What at stake here is that two big-men, two brutal Presidents whose has no quarrel starting a fight or a brawl. Are using their networks and their schemes to try to get a upper-hand. Both are trying to forge a narrative where they are the victim. They are playing with high stakes and hoping to get their way.

It seems that a sit-down wasn’t enough with these guys. These two needs a marriage counsellor and some anger management. Before this goes out of hand. It is bad enough that Museveni has hired enemies to cross Kagame. But they have both been involved in shady business before and could easily pay amends to each other. That before they both are sacrificing innocent civilians, because they couldn’t swallow some pride. There is already enough bad stories on the border-crossings of people getting hurt because of this stalemate. That should be enough for these two. That is if, if they care. Peace.

Opinion: The Terminator is sentenced for 30 years, the Capo is out, but what about the Don?

Bosco Ntaganda aka the Terminator was today sentenced to 30 years in prison for his crimes. However, that is not enough. It is not enough to take out the Capo or an Underboss to stop the crime. You need to take out the Don. In concern of the Terminator. The ICC and the International Community only took the Capo.

The Terminator is fine and dandy, he did his deeds and he did his bidding in the Kivu’s. He caused havocs, murder and massacre. In the wake of this, he should answer to that crime and to the lives he took and the kids he raised to be child soldiers. All of that is good, that he answers for that.

However, his handlers, the ones who gave him weapons, the ones who traded favours and ensured that the Capo could do his livelihood are walking free. The ones who gave way and let him do his deeds. Are proudly summoning people, being at international functions and continuing supporting other War-Lords in the same region.

You took out one, but there are plenty more fish. Because, the state, the ones across the border from Kivu needs the rebels, the warlords to continuing to prosper and sell looted minerals on the world market. This continues, as the spoils and exploits continues. Even as Bosco aka Terminator has to rot for 30 years in Europe.

The salvation isn’t coming, because the saviours are not there. The state are allowing this and the MONUSCO is not powerful to restrain these armed groups and militias, that has outside support and trade-routes to ensuring wealth.

If it is the Ugandan President supporting militias through Kisoro or Rwenzori mountains or the Rwandan President supporting it through Gisenyi. We just know this is happening and the world let it go on. Because, it isn’t our problem and the Coltan we need for Iphone and Samsung is getting distributed just in timely fashion anyway.

So, its fine that the Terminator is charged for the crimes committed. But its not fine, that the ones supporting the weapons, the ones earning on the exploits of him are getting away. They are walking free and getting no trouble what so ever. That’s what bugs me, but I am special that way. Peace.