00:00Around 1300, Southern Africa development community SADC soldiers are preparing to leave Congolese
00:06soil as the M23 backed by Rwanda advances.
00:10Despite some diplomatic sanctions, Kigali remains firm, claiming it is defending its
00:14sovereignty.
00:15According to Congolese analyst Christian Moleka, this approach lays the groundwork for instability
00:20in the fragile and mineral-rich East.
00:21The complexity of the Congolese issue is that the stakeholders have always engaged in a
00:26balancing act, a form of tightrope walking, where one point is given to Kinshasa and another
00:32point is given to Kigali.
00:34This balanced approach is unfavorable to Kinshasa, while pressure, the necessary diplomatic action,
00:40the first sanctions and clear accusation against Rwanda were directed at Kinshasa.
00:45Rwanda also receives some small points that balance both parties.
00:49This position unfortunately will not fundamentally resolve the problem.
00:53It may calm things down today, but at some point, the international community must acknowledge
00:58that there is an aggressor and a victim.
01:00The Congolese security apparatus have always hinted at lack of finances and resources.
01:06During their capture of Goma and Bukavu, the M23 succeeded in recruiting dozens of soldiers.
01:11One also fled the national front.
01:14Important reforms need to be made in the security apparatus.
01:16There need to be internal cohesion, a return to calm within the country, and this will
01:20depend on the president's ability to manoeuvre, to have the political levers to build true
01:24internal cohesion, reduce the sources of internal conflict, and implement the necessary reforms,
01:29especially in military command, to have a capable army.
01:32Kinshasa still has strong reservations about participating in direct negotiations with
01:36the M23 under the auspices of Rwanda.
01:39For Christian Maleka, the DRC is forced to accept the dialogue.
01:43At worst, the government could try to delay the deadline by claiming the M23 is raising
01:47its demands.
01:49But Kinshasa has very little room to manoeuvre in not going to Rwanda.
01:52International diplomatic pressure are also on Kinshasa to open up the possibilities for
01:56direct negotiations.
01:57We saw it in Resolution 2773 at the African Union and at the joint ESC-SADC summit, which
02:03calls for direct negotiations.
02:05There is also an underlying reality.
02:07The M23 in South Kivu continues to advance.
02:09Yesterday it was reported that this island of Idjwi had been reclaimed by the M23.
02:15And so the fear is that the fighting will spread towards Kindu, Manima, Shopo Kisangani
02:20or Katanga.
02:21This risk of fighting spreading is also weighing on Kinshasa.
02:24Meanwhile, the security and humanitarian situation remains tense in several cities in North Kivu.
02:30The M23 is still being seen advancing in several villages in the region.
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