During a live discussion on Thursday hosted by journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, opposition figure and former Vice-Prime Minister José Makila Sumanda delivered a series of pointed statements on the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the involvement of former president Joseph Kabila.
Regarding Kabila’s presence in territories controlled by the M23, Makila firmly rejected accusations of any complicity between the ex-head of state and the rebel movement. “No one from M23 provided protection for Kabila,” he stated, emphasizing that the entire population of North and South Kivu living under M23 administration is subject to the same local forces.
According to Makila, Kabila’s time in office was dedicated to “defending the integrity of the territory,” and he never harbored personal disputes with rebel leaders Makenga or Nanga. “He is no longer responsible for this defense. On what grounds are you condemning him?” he challenged.
The opposition leader also shifted the responsibility for the M23’s re-emergence onto President Félix Tshisekedi. “It was not Kabila who brought M23 back to Kinshasa, it was Tshisekedi,” he contended, suggesting that the current head of state normalized relations with the group, which makes blaming his predecessor illogical.
On the nature of the conflict itself, Makila introduced what he considers a fundamental distinction between a declared interstate war and a rebellion with external support. Dismissing comparisons with the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, he affirmed that, to his knowledge, the DRC is not formally at war with Rwanda. “We have Sukhoi jets, we have drones. Why are these drones and Sukhois not bombing Rwanda?” he questioned, pointing to the absence of direct strikes on Rwandan territory as proof that it is not a conflict between states.
While remaining cautious on military matters, Makila insisted on a strictly political interpretation of these events. “I am one hundred percent political. I am telling you what I know from a political perspective,” he concluded, declining to be drawn into a domain he feels is not his own.
