President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi has expressed dissatisfaction with the international community for keeping away from the ongoing conflict in DRC.
He made the remarks during the ongoing 4th edition of the continental dialogue on youth, peace, and security (December 11-12), under the theme “Beyond rhetoric: Youth empowerment and engagement in sustainable development.”
This conference is being held under the leadership of the Burundian Head of State, Évariste Ndayishimiye, African Union Champion for the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda.
This major annual gathering, brings together young people from across the continent to discuss the central role of youth in Africa’s future,
“Across much of the African continent, we don’t hear the crackle of gunfire, but I must tell you that today’s war is more subtle and complex than we think. Africa is the object of multifaceted covetousness,” Ndayishimiye said.
“To get their hands on its immense riches, the world’s giants are fanning the flames of conflict. They are waging a shadow war against us: they don’t let themselves be seen, but they are there, hidden, disguised, and distracting us. In such a context, countries like the DRC, right next door, can be attacked and experience endless conflicts while the international community looks the other way, while our crises seem to go unheard,” Ndayishimiye added in his speech.
He denounced the increasing number of coups d’état which, according to him, aim to install leaders serving the interests of foreign powers.
“Countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and other Sahelian nations can face jihadist insecurity for years without any intervention from the international or regional community to restore order,” he said.
Ndayishimiye added, “in a show of solidarity, popular uprisings erupt in traditionally peaceful countries, only to discover that development aid money was used to finance regime change that was detrimental to the interests of the powerful. Political leaders, who should be contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability, become agents of destruction in their own countries to satisfy their ambition to reach the highest levels of power,” Ndayishimiye noted.
Ndayishimiye’s comments come at a time when the strategic city of Uvira in South Kivu province, has now fallen under the control of the AFC/M23 rebels, further strengthening their influence and control in North and South Kivu provinces.
It represents a crucial stronghold that could pave the way for the AFC/M23 to advance into the Greater Katanga region, considered the country’s economic heartland.