Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Congolese authorities don announce say dem go begin legal action against former President Joseph Kabila. Dem accuse am of ‘direct participation in the aggression led by Rwanda through the terrorist movement AFC-M23.’ The government also don order the seizure of Kabila’s properties, both movable and immovable, and implement movement restrictions on his associates suspected of being involved in what authorities dey call ‘high treason against the nation.’
Di Minister of Interior don suspend the activities of Kabila’s political party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), as part of these actions. Di political scene don shake well-well as insiders dey describe dis move as a major shift in the recent history of the DRC. Some high-ranking officials don even label Kabila as the mastermind behind the resurgence of M23 under the AFC banner.
As di tension dey rise, e fit worsen di ongoing political crisis, especially as di eastern region dey experience violent clashes and worsening humanitarian conditions. According to Afrik.com, di big question wey dey on everybody’s mind na if di DRC really need dis kind scenario now, with many people dey wonder if di measures against Kabila no go worsen di situation instead of solving am.
Kabila’s presence for Goma, a city occupied by M23 fighters, don ignited dis controversy. Several local news outlets report say Kabila don dey Goma since Friday. One of his close aides tell reporters say, ‘Joseph Kabila come to Goma as peace ambassador, not to join an armed opposition… This na only di beginning of a long process across di country.’
However, some analysis from experts indicate Kabila’s return to Goma after a trip to Kigali, where di Rwandan government dey support di rebels, fit validate Kinshasa’s claims that he dey associated with M23 and Rwanda. Afrikarabia ask wetin Kabila plan to do next — is he back to mediate in di East’s conflict, or to consult with all political forces for dialogue? Can he align with Catholic and Protestant church initiatives?
Di current political chaos and security crisis in di East of di country provides a small space for negotiation between M23 and President Félix Tshisekedi, and Kabila might be hoping to position himself as a unifying figure. Nevertheless, Afrikarabia notes that the civil society still dey remember Kabila’s regime with bad blood due to electoral manipulations, violent crackdowns, and corruption during di 18 years he rule without sharing power. Many believe he go more be part of di problem than di solution amid dis political instability.
West African media also dey question Kabila’s intentions. A newspaper from Ouagadougou asks wetin Kabila really want to achieve and how much influence he get over di AFC-M23 movement. Also, dem dey query what Félix Tshisekedi go do next against him — whether he go charge Kabila or even jail am.
In Conakry, some commentators dey ask if di measures Kinshasa dey take against Kabila go isolate di Congolese government more, especially as dem need some consensus to navigate di político-security crisis. One analyst point out say, ‘Di DRC no only dey suffer from di rebellion in di east; dem also dey sick from di rift between Félix Tshisekedi and Joseph Kabila. Di politicians for Congo dey struggle to find common ground to create di necessary unity to tackle di multiple crises facing di country.’
