On October 25, while chairing a meeting to discuss the situation in the east of DRC, Tshisekedi’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Christophe Lutundula stated thus: “If ever, even by chance, a bullet falls on Goma, we will react in the hours that follow”. Ostensibly, the statement was aimed at Rwanda.
The M23 Movement has so far demonstrated maturity and professionalism in pursuit of the articulation of its legitimate cause. The rebel movement has categorically stated that they are not interested in capturing Goma, or any territory for that matter, as long as the Kinshasa regime accepts to dialogue so that their long outstanding grievances are heard and resolved. However, this week, the Kinshasa regime hyped what it called “crucial partnership with MONUSCO” in an operation dubbed ‘springbok’, ostensibly to protect Goma and Sake cities.
Tshisekedi regime army together with the allied militias cut power in Goma. Almost simultaneously, the ‘Wazalendo coalition of FARDC, FDLR, Mai-Mai, and European mercenaries targeted Goma’s main and secondary power feeds situated in Kibumba, plunging the city into a power blackout. As usual, the coalition’s spokesperson, Ndike Kaiko released the statement attributing the incident to the M23 (and of course, the Rwandan army).
Tshisekedi’s real strategy is well known. These developments are not a mere coincidence. Tshisekedi’s sudden empathy for the residents of Goma is suspicious, to say the least. Tshisekedi’s real strategy is well known. By raising a false alarm for Goma, Tshisekedi intends to escalate the situation to a high-level crisis, which will make the region and the International Community come to the consensus that the December elections are not viable by any means.
Once the elections are canceled, guess who would emerge victorious? Tshisekedi of course, because the circumstances would hand him the ticket to stay on as president of a transition government.
Tshisekedi’s stay as president and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces would only perpetuate the conflict that would definitely culminate into a genocide. The sooner the stakeholders smell the coffee, the better for the region.