DR Congo ceasefire sparks hope for talks – political activist
The unilateral ceasefire declared by the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) opens a window for renewed peace talks, Madaraka Nyerere, a member of the African Legacy Foundation, has told RT in an exclusive interview.
An alliance of rebel groups in eastern DR Congo, including M23 fighters, has declared a ceasefire after weeks of clashes with the national army and peacekeepers. The truce aims to allow humanitarian access, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) announced Monday.
Nyerere stressed that the ceasefire offers an opportunity for the warring factions to “sit together and go back to the negotiating table” to seek a lasting resolution.
Nyerere pointed out that broader participation in peace processes could be beneficial, citing the involvement of regional leaders such as Kenyan President William Ruto and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in joint summits. “The more parties that you have participating in finding or looking for a peace process... the better it is,” he added.
Reflecting on the roots of the instability, Nyerere traced the origins back to the colonial era, emphasizing the role of the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. He argued that “the foundation of instability and ethnic tensions” in the DRC and other African countries was laid when European powers divided the continent without considering ethnic and religious differences.
On the role of international bodies, Nyerere criticized the UN, stating that there has been “a lot of talk but not enough action” to ensure progress in the peace process. He also pointed out that frameworks such as the Addis Ababa agreement have not been adequately supported by global powers.
Discussing the economic situation, Nyerere warned that regional insecurity threatens projects like the Lobito Corridor, a key transport route connecting the DRC to global markets via Zambia and Angola.
DR Congo has been plagued by decades of violence, particularly in the eastern part of the country, as dozens of armed groups, including M23, fight local authorities. During the latest escalation, M23 militants seized control of more territory than ever before, prompting the UN to warn of the risk of a broader regional conflict.
