DRC: MP23 PRESS RELEASE

The DRC Government should take note and act!

Press Release No. 012/M23/CNDP/2012

The Coordination of the Movement of March 23 (M23) informs the opinion that the current fighting opposing them to their colleagues of the FARDC and its results including loss of life and massive displacement of civilians are consequences of the deliberate initiative of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which should be at the appropriate time the only one to be held accountable.

It is worth stressing that the mid-April 2012 withdrawal on the part of FARDC elements forming the M23 from their duty stations was carried out as a means to put pressure on the DRC government and push for the implementation of the 16^th January 2009 agreement. It does not constitute, in any instances, a military offensive against the institutions of the Republic. It is extremely unfortunate that Government of the DRC has decided to engage in military combats instead of finding the right answers.

The pretext alleged by the DRC Government for opting for war is obvious: indeed, the DRC Government claims to lead its offensive to arrest General Bosco Ntaganda. However, the M23 is aware, from credible sources, of the fact that the DRC Government has initiated negotiations with General Ntaganda offering to guarantee his security on his Bunyoli farm in Masisi, where he is currently confined. It is therefore surprising that the DRC Government is, at present, claiming to hunt for General Ntaganda in the Rutshuru territory.

In reality, the Government is waging war on a harmless portion of its own army, whose only crime has been asking to be heard. Worse, this attack is conducted at the unnecessary cost of the life of army colleagues who are falling on the battlefield.

The M23 Coordination is urging the DRC Government to immediately end its military offensive in favor of a peaceful solution; otherwise, M23 will unilaterally undertake the full responsibility to ensure the security and safety of the civilian population, as well as the creation of favorable conditions for refugees and IDPs to return to their home and land.

The M23 Coordination invites MONUSCO to withdraw its support for the military offensive that threatens the lives of the civilian population it is supposed to protect under its mandate. According to M23 Coordination, MONUSCO should, instead, bring the Congolese Government to opt for a solution other than military.

Moreover, it is also true that the FARDC unleashing the offensive are not in condition to win this war; the Congolese government is perfectly aware of that. The M23 remains convinced that the end of this confrontation can only come from the negotiation table. It is more reasonable to go to apply to that table now and, at the same time, spare human lives, military and civilian combined.

Done in Rutshuru, 21 May 2012

For the Coordination of M23

Major Anicet Kahindo SIKULINDAMBI, Chief of Staff

 

Source: Mushaki Pager, Tuesday, May 22, 2012

 

Author: Hiking