The Deputy Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Alain Mukuralinda has said that Rwanda does not represent M23 rebel group noting that the country is concerned about its security.

He made the revelation on Thursday 24th November 2022 during an interview with France24, one day following peace talks in Angola bringing together regional heads of state aimed at finding a solution for security crisis in eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where a fight between Congolese Army (FARDC) and M23 is ongoing.

Some of the meeting’s resolutions include a request for M23 to withdraw from held positions or be quelled by the joint regional troops.

It was also resolved that all armed groups including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which has been working with FARDC in the fighting with M23, must lay down arms and return to countries of origin.

The resolutions have however triggered mixed reactions as to how the Congolese Government would be assured of their implementation yet M23 was not represented in the meeting.

Speaking to France24 on Thursday, the Congolese Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya said: “You know that M23 is represented by Rwanda from the onset of attacks. Let’s talk about things as they are. We are optimistic that the resolutions taken this time around with their timeframes will be implemented to restore peace on the entire national territory.”

Mukuralinda has said that it would be far from the reality if DRC and its spokesperson believe that Rwanda was representing M23.

He explained that Rwanda attends the meeting as a country committed to upholding its security.

Mukuralinda further stated that the resolutions of Luanda make up a continual failure of Congo in restoring peace in eastern part of the country.

“Resolutions reached in Nairobi, Luanda and Burundi are the same. This resolution has demonstrated a great failure and total incapacity of Congolese Government in restoring security in eastern part of the country, and lack of political will to implement the aforementioned resolutions,” he said.

“Rwanda is neither a representative nor a spokesperson of M23. This kind of additions has always seen the implementation of resolutions failing because they are mixing up things,” added Mukuralinda.

He said that resolutions of the meeting have to be implemented by all concerned parties.

“M23 and other groups have to respect yesterday’s resolutions. A roadmap was given where the group will be subjected to further decisions for failure to do so. Rwanda is not the spokesperson of M23. It is concerned about its security,” stated Mukuralinda.

The Deputy Government Spokesperson has underlined that security problems in eastern DRC cannot be resolved in case some of armed groups present in the country are overlooked.

“Today, the problem is known. It is time to fight all armed groups at once not drawing attention on two or three groups only. When an individual or government focuses on the area and excludes others, it shows lack of willingness to solve an existing problem. This situation has lingered on for more than 20 years,” he said.

M23 announced that it won’t withdraw from captured areas because it was not considered during the meeting.

AE News