M23 Rebels Announce alleged Talks with DRC President to Resolve Conflict

The M23 rebel group spokesperson has stated that they are in talks with the government of President Tshisekedi regarding the ongoing conflict, with the goal of achieving a “sustainable peace.” The discussions have reached an advanced stage in Doha, Qatar.

Oscar Balinda was responding to a question about recent remarks made by President Félix Tshisekedi during a visit to Brussels last weekend, where he said that integrating former rebel fighters into the army or government would no longer happen, unless “they kill me.”

In response, Balinda said  “But we are in talks with him and the government’s representatives in Doha. Some progress has been made, and there are still ongoing discussions. I don’t understand why it would require his death. We are here, we are in talks, and things are going well, and we are hopeful.”

Integrating former rebels into the army and government has been one of the solutions considered over the past 20 years to resolve conflicts between Kinshasa and armed groups in the eastern DR Congo.

During his speech in Brussels on Saturday, Tshisekedi boldly said: “All these lies about negotiations having ended, mixing the army, national unity, and other issues—this is what has caused the problems we have today. I say, ‘it will never happen again.’ I want us to discuss the country’s issues, but that does not mean that these talks should end with ‘brassages’ and ‘mixages’—integrating into the government people who have rebelled, people whose citizenship is in doubt.”

Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 group—a claim that Kigali denies—and previously suggested that some M23 fighters may not be Congolese nationals.

Balinda responded to BBC by saying that the M23 fighters are “Congolese.” He continued, “AFC/M23 is us fighting the government, and we have demands. We are in talks with the government in Doha. If he says we are negotiating, we are negotiating with him, and the discussions are going well. We have already been to Doha more than five times.”

Balinda also mentioned that on Monday, M23 representatives arrived in Doha again to discuss how to maintain a lasting ceasefire.

When asked if M23 had asked or would ask to be integrated into the national army or government, Balinda replied, “That has not been achieved yet. Currently, we are addressing issues from the root, and those matters will come later. They will come at the sixth Doha round.”

Meanwhile, at the end of last month, a member of the ruling party in DR Congo’s parliament presented a draft law that would prevent former rebels from joining the national army or government without first facing legal accountability.

While both sides continue to negotiate in Doha about honoring the previously agreed ceasefire, fighting is still being reported in different parts of the South Kivu and North Kivu provinces.

On Monday, clashes were reported between Wazalendo fighters of the CMC-FDP group and the M23 group in the Bukombo area of Rutshuru Territory, as well as in Kinyamugezi, Rushihe, and other areas of that North Kivu territory.

Media outlets in DR Congo have also reported ongoing fighting in recent days in Lukweti in Masisi Territory and in Kibati in Walikale Territory between the M23 and various local armed groups.

The continued fighting is resulting in casualties, including civilians, widespread looting, and many people fleeing their homes.