Yesterday, the Congolese military FARDC, and its evil coalition launched deadly drone attacks on the port of Kalundu in Uvira. As usual it was innocent civilians that were victims of the attacks.
This was neither a misunderstanding, nor accident. It was a clear violation of the ceasefire agreements signed in numerous platforms.
Agreements meant to cool tempers, save lives, and create space for political solutions for umpteenth time proved to be useless documents, proudly cited in meetings and ignored on the battlefield.
What followed the attack is even more revealing. It was pure silence from the so called monitors of Eastern DRC security situation like UN security council, European Union, US government and others. No urgent statements. No condemnation. No emergency meetings, like what happens every time M23 makes advances trying to stop such madness.
The same international community that reacts instantly when it suits a preferred narrative suddenly went mute. When civilians die under FARDC drones, outrage apparently becomes optional.
Facts, however, remain stubborn. M23 has demonstrated a high level restraint by relinquishing territories it had previously acquired like Uvira and some parts of Walikale. Such were concrete actions aimed at de-escalation and dialogue. Yet it looks like nothing matters to both the DRC regime and their supporters in the west.
Instead, FARDC and its coalition chose continuous provocation. An unholy alliance of FDLR, Wazalendo militias, Burundi forces, mercenaries, and other armed groups breached the truce and pushed with the war. These are forces with long records of abuses, now conveniently repackaged as defenders of sovereignty. The result is always predictable escalation, and innocent Congolese lives are lost.
The drone strike in Kalundu is not an isolated incident. It is part of a pattern. A pattern where ceasefires are treated as tactical pauses rather than binding commitments. A pattern where Kinshasa speaks peace abroad and wages war at home.
On the other hand this raises an uncomfortable question. How long is M23 expected to tolerate this bloody campaign simply because it is observing the Doha peace agreement and ceasefire deals? How long should restraint be met with bombs? How long should compliance invite provocation?
Peace cannot be a suicide pact. For M23, this is not about public relations or diplomatic applause. It is about survival. No community can be expected to remain passive while civilians are targeted and agreements are shredded.
Uvira is a warning. Kalundu is a reminder. Peace does not fail because agreements are signed. It fails because they are ignored and M23 will not tolerate this long enough, it deserves rights to pounce and straighten things up. Watch this space!