Government continues to exclude direct conversations with M23

Despite the increasing international pressure, the Democratic Republic Congo is firm in its decision not to make direct conversations with the M23 Rebel Group, which has made great progress in the eastern part of the country in recent months.

Last week, the United Kingdom government added to the group’s calls to be part of a “inclusive dialogue” to help find a political solution to the conflict.

But in an interview with the BBC, Congo Prime Minister Judith Sumyva Tuluka said her government wanted to negotiate with a neighboring Rwanda, which accuses the M23 in support of the M23.

At least 8,500 people were killed by the escalation of fighting in January, according to Congoan authorities.

Hundreds of thousands were also forced by their homes against the backdrop of chaos caused by the fighting in which UN experts and others see Rwanda as a key role.

“The fact remains that the aggressor of the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo is Rwanda,” said Suminva Tuluka, citing an ex -report report from last year, which said that between 3000 and 4,000 Runtan troops have passed in Congolish territory and fighting along with M23.

The peace negotiations, mediated by Angola, struck the impasse last December after Rwanda asked the Congoan government to talk directly to the M23.

The rebel group then progresses quickly by taking control of the cities of Goma and Bukav in January and February.

In joint East and South African mediation last month, regional leaders called for the termination of fire, the release of “uninvited foreign armed forces” from Congoy territory and also called for direct negotiations between “state and non -state parties … including M23”.

Rwanda Pen Paul Kagame did not deny the presence of his troops in Congo when he asked him about it. “I don’t know,” he said in an interview with CNN.

The conflict across the border has seen his country, often regarded as a favorite of the West, now losing favor quickly beyond the board.

He presses on him to pull his powers from Congress soil.

“But that hasn’t done this yet,” Suminva Tuluka said.

She welcomed US sanctions imposed on Rwanda’s government minister James Cabarebe, saying they would help “put pressure on aggressors.” Rwanda, however, rejected them as “unjustified and ineffective in resolving the crisis.”

The European Commission, for its part, terminated the “defense consultations” and placed a “review” memorandum of understanding last year with Rwanda for raw materials.

The Congoan prime minister welcomes the decisions of the EU Commission, saying that “the illegal operation of resources is one of the reasons for the conflict.”

C Congo accuses Rwanda of illegal use of its mineral deposits in the eastern part of the country, which Rwanda denies.

Adding to the chorus against Rwanda, the United Kingdom said last week that, among other measures, it would pause to help, except for the money intended for the most, the most vulnerable groups, unless the country withdraws its troops, is “meaningful” in negotiations and the fire is resulted in.

Rwanda described the decision as “criminal”, saying it was unreasonable to expect to compromise its national security.

The Congoan prime minister said Rwanda ignored all calls to withdraw his troops.

“So who stops on the road (resolves the conflict)? This is not the Congoana Government,” she argued.

Previously, Rwanda acknowledged his forces “defensive and offensive” during the ongoing conflict, claiming the right to defend its territory.

He has also repeatedly accused the Congoan government of attracting and working with the military group of Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR), whose members include fighters from the 1994 Rwand Genocide.

Asked about this, Suminwa Tuluka denied that the Congoan army was working with an FDLR rebels, but said its country would join the “neutralization” of fighters.

When it came to what would solve the problem if direct conversations with the M23 would be ruled out, the Prime Minister said that along with the negotiations with Rwanda, the answer was simple for what would guarantee the termination of fire.

“Make sure that Rwanda’s troops withdraw from Congoy territory and that their M23 stop killing the Congojan population,” she said.