• Democratic Republic of Congo security updates

In a bold assertion during a live interview on Thursday, opposition leader and former Deputy Prime Minister José Makila Sumanda directly challenged President Félix Tshisekedi’s handling of the M23 crisis, shifting responsibility to the current administration.

Makila absolves Kabila of M23 ties, blames Kinshasa’s approach

Speaking on a popular online platform hosted by journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, Makila dismissed claims that former President Joseph Kabila had any connection to the M23 rebel group. He stated emphatically, “No member of M23 ever provided protection to Kabila.” He argued that all residents in North and South Kivu under M23 control operate under the same local authorities, regardless of political affiliation.

Makila maintained that Kabila’s legacy was one of territorial integrity during his presidency, with no personal feud with M23 leaders such as Makenga or Nanga. He questioned what grounds exist to hold Kabila accountable now that he no longer holds office, stating, “You are condemning him for what exactly?”

Tshisekedi’s policies under scrutiny for fueling M23’s return

The opposition figure went further, asserting that President Tshisekedi’s policies had inadvertently normalized relations with M23, thereby facilitating the group’s resurgence in Kinshasa. Makila declared, “It is not Kabila who brought M23 back to Kinshasa; it is Tshisekedi.” He argued that the current administration’s engagement with the rebel movement rendered previous criticisms of Kabila inconsistent and baseless.

M23 conflict framed as rebellion, not interstate war

Addressing the nature of the conflict, Makila drew a sharp distinction between a declared interstate war and an externally supported rebellion. He refuted comparisons to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing that the Democratic Republic of Congo is not formally at war with Rwanda. He posed a pointed question: “We possess Sukhoi jets and drones. Why aren’t these being used to strike inside Rwanda?” He highlighted the absence of direct military actions against Rwandan territory as proof that Kinshasa is not engaged in a state-level conflict.

A political lens on a military crisis

While cautious about military analysis, Makila firmly positioned himself within the political sphere. He concluded, “I am 100% political. I speak only to what I know in politics.” His remarks underscore the deepening political divisions over security strategy in the eastern DRC.