For weeks, Kinshasa’s propaganda machine has been peddling a lie that AFC/M23 would reject the Doha talks.
But yesterday, Bertrand Bisimwa shattered that illusion. He confirmed that a technical team from the movement was en route to Doha to review ceasefire logistics and prisoner releases, just as outlined in the July 19 Declaration of Principles.
That single move alone has exposed the lie. It revealed that M23 is busy honoring the agreement while Kinshasa is staging primetime theatrics.
Take this week’s highlight for example: Defense Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, flanked by government spokesman Patrick Muyaya at a press appearance, threatened fresh offensives against M23. Minister Kabombo went as far as saying that he was going to burn all papers that have DOHA peaces on it.
But let’s be realistic, if Tshisekedi and his warmongering ministers were serious, they would have started with the real villains. Over the weekend, ADF/NALU butchered 52 Hema civilians—many hacked to death with machetes—and yet we hear nothing. That massacre didn’t warrant a press conference. Instead, we get threats aimed at M23 and endless stories about Rwanda.
Speaking of Rwanda: the tired narrative of M23 being Kigali’s “proxy” is back on repeat. But Kigali’s leadership has long moved beyond that narrative. They brushed it off and are focusing on real issues. Meanwhile, Kinshasa clings to it like a bad habit.
Here’s the contrast that can’t be missed: Kinshasa, via ministers Kabombo and Muyaya, drum up war, spins stories, and recycles accusations, while across the table, AFC/M23 is quietly walking the talk observing clause by clause.
Thus, who is sabotaging peace? The government issuing blustery threats while ignoring real violence, or the Movement showing up and engaging? The answer is staring everyone in the face.
For people in eastern Congo, this isn’t rhetoric, it’s life and death. They don’t need theories about proxies; they want security. They know who is acting and who is posturing.
As Doha progresses, the world should tune out Kinshasa’s show and focus on actions. Propaganda and photo ops can’t hide the truth. And right now, AFC/M23 is moving toward peace.