Is Rwanda serious about peace? DRC foreign minister weighs in | Talk to Al Jazeera

Key Concepts

• M23 Rebels: A rebel group operating in eastern Congo, accused of carving out parallel rule and supported by Rwandan troops.
• Doha Facilitated Talks: Peace talks facilitated by Qatar aimed at reaching an agreement with the M23.
• US-Brokered Accord with Kigali: An agreement brokered by the United States between the DRC and Rwanda, calling for troop withdrawals and a joint security mechanism.
• Parallel Administration: The establishment of a separate governing structure by the M23, undermining state authority.
• UN Security Council Resolution 2773: A UN resolution relevant to the conflict in eastern Congo.
• FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda): A Rwandan Hutu rebel group operating in eastern DRC, accused by Rwanda of receiving support from the DRC government.
• Impunity: The state of being exempt from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.
• Ceasefire: An agreement to stop fighting.
• Prisoner Swap: An exchange of captured individuals between opposing sides.
• Independent Verification Commission: A proposed body to document and report on human rights violations.

Summary of Interview with DRC Foreign Minister

This interview with the Democratic Republic of Congo's Foreign Minister, Terz Ka Wagner, addresses the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, the peace talks with the M23 rebels, and the complex geopolitical dynamics involving Rwanda.

Peace Talks with M23 Rebels

The Foreign Minister acknowledges that peace talks with the M23 rebels, facilitated by Qatar, are ongoing but describes the process as "tedious" and "difficult." While expressing commitment to a final peace agreement to end instability and occupation in two major provinces, she hopes for a resolution within "weeks, hopefully not months." However, she emphasizes that "it takes two to tango," and the M23 must participate constructively.

Key Points:

• M23 Actions Undermining Talks: The Minister cites the killing of civilians, occupation of sovereign territory with Rwandan troop support, and the establishment of a "parallel administration" as actions that contradict their participation in peace talks.
• Disagreement on Basic Principles: A core contentious point remains the M23's withdrawal and handover of territory to the DRC government. The Minister reiterates the DRC's commitment to the "full restoration of state authority" as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2773 and the Washington DC accord.
• Good Faith and Tangible Efforts: While acknowledging the M23's participation in talks and signing of documents, the Minister stresses the need for "tangible efforts on the ground" to demonstrate good faith. She believes the M23 will eventually acknowledge the "increasing isolation" of their position.

Ceasefire and Prisoner Swap

The Minister confirms the DRC's commitment to a ceasefire but highlights the need to defend its territory against occupying forces, including Rwandan Defense Forces supporting the M23. She states that the DRC is ready to stop fighting when the M23 is ready, implying a lack of willingness or desire from the M23 and Rwanda to cease hostilities.

Key Points:

• Ceasefire Delay: The delay in the ceasefire is attributed to the M23 and Rwandan forces' actions on the ground. The DRC wants to spare civilian lives and create a protective environment through a ceasefire.
• Prisoner Swap Challenges: The prisoner swap is described as a complex process involving technical steps. The Minister clarifies that a prisoner swap should not be mistaken for impunity for massacres, rape, and looting. She stresses that sustainable peace cannot be built on impunity, a principle the M23 needs to understand.
• Impunity as a Core Issue: The DRC government views impunity as a fundamental obstacle to lasting peace, and the M23's expectations regarding impunity are seen as not fitting reality.

Rwanda's Role and Accusations

The interview delves into the DRC's accusations against Rwanda, including the presence of Rwandan troops and their support for the M23. The Minister expresses a desire to give Rwanda the "benefit of the doubt" regarding their commitment to peace, but her statements reveal deep-seated skepticism based on Rwanda's actions.

Key Points:

• Rwandan Troop Presence: The DRC accuses Rwanda of having 6,000 troops on its sovereign territory, engaging in looting, killing, maiming, and rape.
• Doubts about Rwanda's Commitment: Despite the US-brokered accord, the Minister questions Rwanda's seriousness about peace, citing their continued actions on the ground. She trusts the mediators (US and Qatar) more than Rwanda's commitment.
• Speculation on Rwanda's Goals: While hesitant to speculate, the Minister acknowledges that some DRC officials believe Rwanda's real goal is to break up the eastern part of the DRC. However, she asserts that the DRC's territory will remain whole.
• International Aid Dependency: The DRC's leverage in talks is partly based on the knowledge that Rwanda depends on international aid and has been propped up by other countries.

Accusations of DRC Support for FDLR

The interview addresses Rwanda's accusation that the DRC supports the FDLR. The Minister refutes this, stating that the FDLR are Rwandans who have been on DRC territory for 30 years and preyed on the Congolese population.

Key Points:

• FDLR as Rwandan Problem: The DRC views the FDLR as a Rwandan issue, not a tool used by the Congolese government.
• Distinction between State Policy and Individual Actions: The Minister distinguishes between state policy and individual actions within the army. While acknowledging that individuals within the army might support the FDLR, she asserts it is not state policy. She contrasts this with the presence of 6,000 Rwandan troops, which she considers state policy.
• UN Security Council Resolution 2773: The Minister addresses the UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which condemned support provided by DRC military forces to armed groups, including the FDLR. She argues that if there are cases of support, they are by individuals, not state policy, and that mechanisms exist to hold them accountable.
• Lack of Institutional Reaction from Rwanda: The Minister highlights the absence of any institutional reaction from Rwanda regarding its troops' violations in the DRC, such as rape, looting, and territorial occupation.

Human Rights Violations and Accountability

The interview touches upon allegations of human rights violations committed by both the M23 and the DRC military. The Minister expresses willingness to cooperate with investigations and ensure justice.

Key Points:

• DRC Military Accountability: The Minister states that if the DRC military has committed crimes, individuals will be held accountable through military justice.
• Cooperation with UN Investigations: The DRC is in constructive dialogue with the UN and welcomes an independent verification commission to document human rights violations. They are prepared to take responsibility and implement mechanisms for justice.
• M23 Blocking Access: The M23 has refused access to a UN verification team in areas they occupy, hindering investigations.
• Addressing Criticisms: The DRC is willing to absorb criticism, evaluate it critically and self-critically, and take steps to redress issues through sanctions and prevention measures.
• Sanctions and Prevention: Sanctions have been imposed, and efforts are ongoing to train troops, police, and investigators for a more robust architecture to prevent or react to violations.

Conclusion and Takeaways

The interview paints a picture of a deeply entrenched conflict in eastern Congo, characterized by complex diplomatic efforts, persistent violence, and mutual accusations between the DRC and Rwanda. While peace talks are underway, significant obstacles remain, particularly concerning the M23's actions on the ground and Rwanda's alleged continued support for the rebels. The DRC government emphasizes its commitment to restoring state authority, ensuring justice, and ending impunity, but acknowledges the long and arduous path ahead. The role of international mediators and the pressure they can exert on all parties are seen as crucial for any potential breakthrough. The conflict's roots are deeply intertwined with regional geopolitics and the exploitation of natural resources, making a comprehensive resolution a formidable challenge.