African wise men observed that people may find it easy to place an item up a shelf while sitting, but to retrieve the same item, they would be forced to do so in a standing posture.
This is exactly what is happening to Tshisekedi concerning the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. When the M23 rebels asked for the implementation of the previous agreements signed between them and the Kinshasa regime or face their wrath, Tshisekedi thought they were bluffing.
When they started fighting, he believed he possessed supernatural powers that would transform the FARDC from a corrupt and demotivated gang of thieves and rapists into a lethal fighting force. Perhaps he thought FDLR was the missing link!
When the M23 made the initial gains on the battleground and went ahead to wipe the floor with his coalition of FARDC, FDLR, Mai-Mai, Nyatura, and mercenaries, Tshisekedi did not give up. Instead, he thought blaming and insulting Rwandan leaders would change the situation in favor of his evil coalition.
His cognitive disability could not allow him to correctly deduce that a belligerent attitude would not favor him. Instead, he dug deeper into the coffers of the impoverished state and went shopping for heavy and sophisticated military hardware and hiring notorious mercenaries.
Sadly for him and his cronies, the more belligerence he got, the harder he was hit! In a period below one year, Tshisekedi has not only lost territory to M23, but he has also lost credibility and face.
Ironically, as his cronies were hyping his new acquisition of ‘lethal drones’ from China, Tshisekedi lost more strategic territories. Now, instead of talking about recapturing Kitchanga, the Kinshasa regime is whining about the additional loss of Mushaki and Rubaya.
Those encouraging Tshisekedi to shun negotiations and regional peace mechanisms should have some empathy towards the innocent ordinary Congolese people.