The Democratic Republic of Congo has protested the expression used to describe the M23 by outgoing African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki in a recent statement.
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Gracia Yamba Kazadi in a call with AU Chargé d’affaires in Kinshasa Idrys Amir took issues with Faki describing M23 as a “politico-military opposition”.
“During this exchange, she [Kazai] expressed, on behalf of the Congolese government, her deep indignation at the remarks contained in the recent communiqué of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, describing the M23 as a “politico-military opposition” to the Congolese government.
“The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo firmly recalls that the M23 can in no way be considered an opposition force, but that it is a terrorist group supported by Rwanda with the aim of plundering the natural resources of the east of the country, in violation of national sovereignty and international law,” the translated version of the statement shared by DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie read in part.
The ministry added that an official note of protest will be transmitted as soon as possible to the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, reaffirming the DRC’s unwavering position and its commitment to peace and stability in the region.
“The Congolese government reiterates its commitment to defending the territorial integrity of the country and urges the African Union to adopt a position aligned with the realities on the ground, while respecting the legitimate aspirations of the Congolese people,” the statement concluded.
FAKI’S STATEMENT
On January 25, Faki said he was following “with great attention” the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC as fighting escalates.
The AUC boss noted that such developments pose threats to the “tireless and significant efforts undertaken within the framework of the two African mechanisms, notably the Luanda process led by Angola President Joao Manuel Lourenço.
“He expresses his unreserved support for such efforts, which are the only way to resolve the persistent tension between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, on the one hand, and between the Government of the DRC and its political-military opposition, on the other,” he said, calling for the strict observance of the ceasefire agreed between the parties and the immediate cessation of all hostilities.
It this “political-military opposition” phrasing, interpreted to mean the M23 rebels that Kinshasa is protesting against.
In May 2022, DRC announced it had classified M23 as a terror group.
“The M23 is now considered as a terrorist group and will be treated in the way (we treat the terrorists),” Patrick Muyaya said at a press conference after a national security committee session chaired by President Felix Tshisekedi.
