Since M23AFC took control of different parts of Eastern DRC—Goma, Bukavu, Masisi, and beyond—western officials have been taking turns visiting Kinshasa, but not one has shown interest in setting foot in M23-liberated areas.
Tiffany Sadler, the UK special envoy on Great Lakes region is the latest diplomat to visit Kinshasa, a visit she claims seeks to support regional peace initiatives and encouraging dialogue between the DRC and Rwanda. One wonders why she removes M23/AFC from the equation.
Saddler’s visit follows that of Maxime Prevot, the Belgian foreign minister who is still in DRC visiting different places including Beni which is a stronghold of numerous armed groups serving under the umbrella of “Wazalendo” like FDLR, the genocidal outfit sanctioned by the UN and other armed groups.
If these dignitaries are not meeting M23, It’s clearly not because of access. In February, a group of clergymen from the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) met with M23’s Corneille Nangaa in Goma. They heard out the movement’s grievances and noted them for future references. If religious leaders can listen, why can’t diplomats?
Since the U.S. decided to get hands-on with DRC’s crisis, the diplomatic traffic to Kinshasa has increased. But where were these missions when Tshisekedi was sinking the country to the bottom and choosing to blame Rwanda instead? Some went as far as imposing blindly sanctions against Rwanda and it changed nothing.
Let’s be honest, the new scramble for DRC has never been this rife, but if these diplomatic envoys want peace they should listen to all parties. Tshisekedi set the entire country ablaze seeking to protect his own interests and those of his cronies and it seems everyone wants a peaceful Congo except him.
To all dignitaries claiming to want peace, speak to M23. You may call them rebels, you may not like them, but peace in DRC won’t come by hearing just one side. Dialogue must include those who hold ground, militarily and politically.