As preparations for the fourth round of the Nairobi edition of peace talks, meant to contain Congolese armed groups, the facilitator has recommended the inclusion of the M23 since the latter has shown its commitment to comply with the Luanda recommendations (withdrawing from the areas it had previously captured). And presently, the majority of the localities formerly captured by M23 are now under the occupation of the East African Community Regional Forces (EACRF).
However, the Kinshasa regime has started acting dodgy, suggesting they are against the inclusion of the M23, even though the facilitator is satisfied with their compliance. They aim to throw the spanner in the works.
Tshisekedi’s representative, Serge Tshibangu, reiterated recently that the Kinshasa regime “will not negotiate with the M23!”
This stand creates confusion because the region and the international community are banking on the Kinshasa regime’s goodwill for a political process to follow the M23 withdrawal. If there are no negotiations, then why did they waste the time of regional leaders who have burnt the midnight candle trying to help bring lasting peace in eastern DRC?
Unless the regional leaders are assertive, the peace mechanisms might hit a dead end once the M23 completes their withdrawal. Only a principled and well-mediated political process can guarantee lasting peace in eastern DRC.