Corneille Nangaa, the Coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), has dismissed the notion that imposing sanctions on Rwanda would deter the advancement of the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement posted on social media, Nangaa argued that those advocating for sanctions against Rwanda were mistaken in believing such measures would halt M23’s progress.
“Sanctioning Rwanda will not prevent M23 from moving forward. Those who harbor this kind of thinking are wrong. They are Congolais who are fighting for their rights to nationality and land; this has nothing to do with Rwanda,” Nangaa stated.
The remarks come amid rising tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, with Congolese authorities accusing Rwanda of backing M23 rebels. Kigali has repeatedly denied these allegations, maintaining that the conflict is an internal Congolese issue.
M23, a predominantly Tutsi rebel group, has been engaged in sporadic battles with the Congolese army (FARDC) and allied militias in the eastern regions of the DRC, demanding political inclusion and recognition of the rights of the Congolese Tutsi community.
Nangaa’s comments have sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting his stance that the M23 issue is a Congolese internal matter, while others argue that Rwanda’s alleged involvement cannot be ignored. The international community, including the United Nations and regional bodies, continues to call for diplomatic solutions to the ongoing crisis in eastern DRC.
