Former M23 chairman: 'I cannot do politics on Rwandan soil'
Jean-Marie Runiga (L) talks to the Minister in charge of refugees, Mukantabana, during a tour of Ngoma internment camp where the former M23 members are now staying. (photo Jean-Christophe Nsanzimana)
On March 23, 2012, a mutiny was born in the DRC, which adopted the name M23.The armed rebel-group was led by a duo of outspoken personalities: the army Chief of staff Brig Gen Sultan Makenga (then Colonel) and the head-politician (chairman) of the group, Bishop Jean-Marie Runiga. The two icons had a tight relationship, and declared to be fighting for one cause: peace in the Eastern DRC, and the safety of the Congolese Kinyarwanda speaking community.
Almost a year later (February 27), Runiga was overthrown by the mutiny's Military High Command chaired by Makenga. The reason: accusations towards the head-politician of financial embezzlement, division, deceit, ethnic hatred and political immaturity.
Following the break-up, it was reported that forces loyal to Runiga attacked the Makenga side killing soldiers as well as civilians in Rutshuru (where Makenga was then based). In the end, Runiga and his loyalists fled to Rwanda, in the night of March 14-15on the eve of their group's first anniversary.
In Rwanda, Runiga and his group, including Brig Gen Bauduin Ngaruye, were disarmed and placed under internment subject to a period of verification to see if they really have renounced to their military activities. The former fighters and politicians are thereafter moved to Ngoma internment camp in Eastern Rwanda miles from the Eastern DRC.
It is there that we find Runiga, in a back suit, white shirt and red tie, as he prepares to receive a delegation of ambassadors and other diplomats accredited to Rwanda. "We decided to flee to Rwanda because it was the nearest countries to our positions (Kibumba). Had we been near Uganda, Angola or any other country, we would have gone there," Runiga says in impeccable French.
"The Kinshasa government had done all to tear us apart. If we would have been supported by Rwanda, we wouldn't have arrived here."
Concerning the break-up of M23, Runiga blames it on Makenga's side being corrupted by Kinshasa. "The Kinshasa government had done all to tear us apart. This was because we didn't have a support. Of course, people will say that our presence in Rwanda now confirms the reports that the government here supported us but let me tell you, if we would have been supported by Rwanda, we wouldn't have arrived here. The infighting occurred, because we were out of means, which made it possible for Kinshasa to corrupt the others."
Yet that doesn't mean that he has given up hope to play a role in his country. "We have abandoned the military activities, but on the political side, we have a plan for the Congolese society and we will continue to defend them," Runiga says.
For former M23 head-politician, the cycles of violence and hostilities in the DRC are symptoms of a bigger problem. "The real causes are the lack of a responsible and visionary leadership, poor governance, the lack of a government which can create an army able of maintaining internal and external security. The DRC's problems are political," he observes.
'I have never believed in war'
Runiga says that his return to DRC depends on the political and security climate. "I have never believed in war. The armed fighting cannot be an end to the DRC's problems. We have been disarmed and renounced to military activities. However, we'll continue the political fight. If conditions allow, I will go back to play the democratic game with my fellow Congolese. I cannot do politics on Rwandan soil."
For Runiga, it is clear that the allegations of external forces are nonsense, it is the system which is the enemy. "What happened to the M23 is a hiccup. It's the fruit of a corruption initiated by a government which is unable of solving the problems of its citizens. Instead of solving the issue, they prefer dealing with the consequences."
Concerning the UN Security Council sending a brigade to fight the armed rebels in the Eastern DRC, M23 included, Runiga sees it as a non-effective solution.
"There are some armed groups which are backed by the Congolese army (FARDC). Will the brigade also fight the FARDC and its allies? I don't think so. The chances for the UN Brigade to succeed are narrow. Even if it the brigade vanquished all the mutinies in the area, that's not the real problem! The real problem is lack of leadership, and those rebels are just consequences. Why are people not focusing on the causes rather than consequences? Armed fights are nothing but results of a bad leadership. The Security Council is not seeking non-lasting solutions."
Posted by Jean-Christophe Nsanzimana on May 5 2013. Filed under Features,Other News, Weekly Highlights. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
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