DR Congo must be violence-free, says AFC/M23 leader Nangaa

Corneille Nangaa, the leader of Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) movement, has emphasized the need for a violence-free DR Congo to foster peace and economic development. To reduce the level of violence in the country, he said, a functional state must be established in DR Congo, with a corruption-free national army, police, administration, and a working justice system. ALSO READ: Twirwaneho warns Burundian army over genocidal attacks against Banyamulenge “These are all currently lacking, and it has turned the country into a jungle,” Nangaa said during an interview with AnewZ Media on Thursday, April 17. With headquarters in Baku, Azerbaijan, and correspondents worldwide, AnewZ Media is a global news and analysis channel broadcasting to over 110 countries. Nangaa stressed the importance of unity among DR Congo’s diverse ethnic communities. ALSO READ: Kabila urges South Africa not to support Tshisekedi’s ‘tyrannical regime’ The country is made up of many tribal communities, the AFC leader said, stressing that “we must learn to coexist peacefully and come together for development.” “When you look at our borders, they were not drawn by our grandfathers, the country was granted to us.” He argued that the AFC movement's struggle is about “rebuilding the country” and allowing Congolese citizens to “live with dignity,” aiming to transform the nation from a failed state into a modern one. ALSO READ: SADC requests troops’ safe passage from eastern DR Congo through Rwanda A vast Congolese army coalition backed by Western countries including Belgium and comprising the Rwandan genocidal militia, FDLR, and Burundian forces as well as SADC forces worsened the security situation in eastern DR Congo. FDLR is a DR Congo-backed militia formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Led by Corneille Nangaa, the former chairman of the Congolese national electoral commission, Alliance Fleuve Congo is fighting for governance that supports basic human rights, secures all Congolese citizens, and addresses the root causes of conflict. The rebellion has vowed to uproot tribalism, nepotism, corruption, and the genocide ideology spread by FDLR, among other vices, widespread in DR Congo. Nangaa reiterated that violence remains one of the leading issues fuelling the crisis in eastern DR Congo. He blamed persistent problems like dictatorship, poor governance, and discrimination for the country’s instability, issues he says President Felix Tshisekedi failed to address. “These are problems that could have been resolved without fighting. But Tshisekedi only seems to understand the language of weapons,” Nangaa said, criticising the Congolese government for failing to harness the country’s vast mineral wealth to create a favourable business environment. Nangaa pointed to the country’s poor infrastructure and a lack of basic services as problems linked to the country’s broken political system. Responding to international sanctions against AFC officials and allegations that Rwanda supports the rebels, Nangaa denied foreign involvement. “There are no Rwandans in our forces. We are Congolese, and we are fighting for Congolese reasons,” he said. The Congolese government harbors Rwandan genocidal militias (FDLR) aimed at destabilizing neighbouring Rwanda, an intention made public by President Tshisekedi himself. Nangaa emphasized that what AFC is seeking is “a legitimate and responsible government,” arguing that DR Congo has the potential to thrive both regionally and globally. Despite the ongoing crisis and failed peace talks, Nangaa still holds hope for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict. “Peaceful solutions are possible. That is what we have always said. We know that the reasons we are fighting can be addressed through dialogue and negotiations.”

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DR Congo must be violence-free, says AFC/M23 leader Nangaa