Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has vehemently rejected allegations that his faction enjoys support from Rwanda. This statement comes amid escalating tensions in eastern DRC, where the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is convening an extraordinary meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict.
The DRC’s President Félix Tshisekedi’s attendance remains uncertain. Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading a delegation to the summit, underscoring the international spotlight on the crisis. Recent clashes between the M23 rebels and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops have claimed the lives of thirteen South African soldiers, heightening concerns over the safety of those remaining in the conflict zone.
Nangaa argues that the allegations of Rwandan support are merely a “propaganda” effort by the Kinshasa government to distract from its governance failures. “When you say Rwanda is supporting you, this is one of the Kinshasa propaganda to hide the bad governance they have been doing so far,” he stated emphatically. He further asserted that many M23 members are Congolese and dismissed claims linking them to Rwanda as unfounded, instead blaming the instability on what he described as a “failed state.”
The conflict has taken a considerable toll on the families of the SANDF soldiers stationed in Goma, where M23 forces have seized control. Uncertainty surrounds the safety of their loved ones, with a friend of one soldier stating, “He depends on our prayers and mercy from our government to release them because the situation there is very bad.” This sentiment reflects a growing fear and anxiety among those with ties to soldiers embroiled in the conflict.
