The conflict in eastern Congo is more than a battlefield of bullets and blood—it is a warzone of betrayal, hypocrisy, and exploitation. The West, driven by an insatiable hunger for Congo’s mineral wealth, hides behind hollow rhetoric of peace while enabling a corrupt and incompetent regime. Félix Tshisekedi, the DRC’s weak and confused leader, stands as a puppet of Western interests, unable to protect his people or stabilize his nation.
At the heart of this chaos lies M23, a disciplined and morally driven force fighting for survival against a crumbling Congolese army. FARDC soldiers, clad in rags and plagued by hunger, scatter like terrified gazelles, leaving behind weapons they can’t even carry. Meanwhile, hate-fueled rhetoric against Tutsi communities fuels atrocities that shock the conscience of humanity—acts the world shamelessly ignores.
This is a conflict where the West’s connivance perpetuates a narrative that undermines Rwanda and denies M23’s legitimate grievances. It’s a stage where Burundi’s genocidal ambitions and South Africa’s hidden agendas only add to the chaos. The world watches, but not to help—only to calculate how to preserve its exploitative grip on Congo’s treasures. This is a war that could reshape Africa’s history, and no one is ready for the consequences.
Here are my ten takeaways;
1. M23’s Strength and the Prospect of Independence
M23 has proven itself as a disciplined, organized, and highly effective fighting force, outclassing the ill-equipped and demoralized FARDC. These bush fighters, driven by the moral imperative of survival, are fighting for their homeland in eastern DRC. Their victories on the battlefield expose the weaknesses of the Congolese state and its military. The prospect of M23 consolidating control over eastern DRC terrifies Western powers. Such a development could lead to the emergence of an independent state in the resource-rich region, cutting off the West’s access to free minerals and timber that fuel its industries. An M23-led territory would dismantle the exploitative status quo, challenging the West’s historical dominance. This scenario also vindicates Rwanda’s position as a morally superior actor, a precedent the West dreads. The potential for a well-governed, independent region in eastern DRC under M23 is a game-changer that could redefine Africa’s geopolitical landscape.
2. The West’s Exploitation and Hypocrisy
The West has long exploited the DRC’s vast natural wealth, ensuring a steady flow of cheap raw materials to sustain its industries. This theft is facilitated by corrupt local leaders and Western complicity. The recent discovery of planes flying out of Goma airport with stolen minerals, just hours before its closure, underscores this systemic exploitation. While the West claims to champion justice and human rights, it remains silent on the atrocities committed against Tutsi communities in DRC. This hypocrisy highlights its prioritization of profit over morality. The deliberate connivance to undermine Rwanda and ignore the plight of Congolese civilians suffering under FARDC and allied militias reflects the West’s shameless disregard for African lives.
3. Rwanda’s Strength and Strategic Acumen
Rwanda’s military strength and strategic prowess are well-documented. If provoked or attacked, Rwanda could unleash a devastating response that would reshape the region’s power dynamics. This potential for decisive action serves as a deterrent to its adversaries. Rwanda has consistently advocated for peaceful solutions, engaging diplomatically and respectfully at regional round tables. However, its legitimate concerns about the DRC’s harboring of genocidal forces like the FDLR have been ignored. The West’s hypocritical stance, blaming Rwanda while overlooking DRC’s provocations, only escalates tensions.
4. The FDLR’s Role and Global Complicity
The FDLR, a genocidal militia responsible for atrocities during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, operates freely in DRC with tacit support from the Congolese government. This group has committed heinous crimes, including raping, killing, and even cannibalizing Tutsi communities. The world’s silence on these atrocities is a glaring double standard. How can the international community, which acknowledges the Genocide against the Tutsi, now sympathize with the perpetrators of the same ideology? If such barbarity were inflicted on a white person—being roasted and eaten in public—the global outrage would be swift and unprecedented. The lack of response to these crimes highlights a disturbing racial bias in international affairs.
5. Félix Tshisekedi’s Failures and Regional Instability
Félix Tshisekedi has proven to be an incompetent leader, unable to manage the crisis in eastern DRC. His reliance on Western intervention and inflammatory rhetoric, including threats to overthrow Rwanda’s government, reveal his desperation. Under his leadership, the FARDC has become a laughingstock—poorly trained, ill-equipped, and demoralized. Soldiers flee from battles, terrified and disorganized. Some are seen carrying weapons they can barely handle, while others break down in tears, out of ammunition and hope. Tshisekedi’s failures have left his army and his country in chaos. The international community must hold Tshisekedi accountable. Pressure must be mounted for him to find a sound solution or resign. His removal—whether by resignation or other means—could bring much-needed stability to the region.
6. Burundi’s Humiliation and Genocidal Ideology
Burundi’s involvement in the conflict has been disastrous. Thousands of Burundian soldiers have been slaughtered in battles against M23, leaving President Évariste Ndayishimiye unable to explain the losses to his people. Ndayishimiye’s government harbors a genocidal ideology, as evidenced by his party’s Secretary General’s hateful rhetoric against Rwanda. His reckless threats to overthrow Rwanda’s government, alongside Tshisekedi, undermine regional stability. Burundi’s humiliating defeat further isolates Ndayishimiye, exposing the limits of his military and political capabilities.
7. The Role of Hateful Rhetoric in DRC
The conflict has unveiled the extent of hateful rhetoric against Tutsi communities in DRC. Leaders like Tshisekedi have weaponized anti-Tutsi propaganda to rally support, fostering a toxic environment of dehumanization. This rhetoric has led to atrocities, including killings, rapes, and public cannibalization of Tutsis. Such hate speech fuels violence and undermines any prospects for peace. The international community’s failure to condemn this rhetoric and hold DRC accountable is a moral failure of historic proportions.
8. South Africa’s Hidden Agenda
South Africa’s involvement in the conflict has been marked by covert maneuvers and undisclosed interests. Despite its military resources, South Africa has suffered embarrassing setbacks, failing to stabilize the situation. Its actions, driven by hidden agendas, have only complicated the crisis, further exposing the weaknesses of regional and international responses.
9. East African Community’s Inaction
The East African Community (EAC) has largely failed to address the crisis. Kenya’s President William Ruto issued a vague and ineffective statement, promising to convene a meeting within 48 hours. Beyond this, the EAC has remained silent, highlighting its inability to respond meaningfully to such a critical issue. This inaction highlights the need for stronger regional mechanisms to address conflicts and promote stability, but it also shades more light on how Rwanda survives in a hostile environment.
10. The UN Security Council’s Bias
The UN Security Council has failed to address M23’s legitimate grievances and Rwanda’s concerns about the DRC’s harboring of genocidal forces. Instead, the Council has allowed Tshisekedi to dominate the narrative, further sidelining the voices of those directly affected by the crisis. Rwanda’s measured and diplomatic approach at the round table was met with indifference. Tshisekedi, on the other hand, boasted about convening the Council to his advantage, exposing the imbalance in global diplomacy. The Security Council’s inaction and bias perpetuate the cycle of violence and exploitation in the region.
