Tshisekedi, who had been informed about 10 hours earlier that Kagame would not be attending the Luanda meeting, decided to go to Angola on the scheduled day, even though he was aware the talks had been postponed. His intent was to create the impression that Rwanda’s president was unwilling to resolve the insecurity issues in eastern DRC and the region.

The leader of M23, Bertrand Bisimwa, told researcher Bojana Coulibaly that the DRC government aimed to defeat M23 fighters before the December 15 meeting. This, they believed, would pressure Rwanda into signing agreements favourable to Kinshasa.

Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group, which Kigali denies, arguing instead that M23 is fighting for legitimate reasons and that the DRC needs to address its issues to prevent the group from remaining a persistent source of tension between the two nations. Every time M23 resurfaces, the DRC blames Rwanda.

Bisimwa stated, “The DRC government sought a victory before December 15. They put pressure on us, aiming for a success that would position them well to force Rwanda into signing Kinshasa’s terms or delaying the Luanda meeting. That was their goal.”

The DRC government allegedly devised a plan and deployed over 22,000 soldiers, supported by the FDLR (a rebel group) and Wazalendo militia, to launch attacks on M23. Bisimwa explained that M23 became aware of this and prepared adequately to defend itself.

Bisimwa noted that M23’s defensive operations stem from events starting in November 2021, when a coalition of government forces and militias attacked its positions in Lubero territory. M23 pushed them back and captured additional areas.

Rubaya was seized to prevent a looming threat

In early May 2024, M23 announced it had seized Rubaya, an area rich in Coltan minerals, located in Masisi territory in North Kivu province.

Bisimwa explained that before taking Rubaya, M23 had learned that Burundian forces were training the Imbonerakure militia and other armed groups in the area, preparing them to attack civilians in regions under M23 control.

Initially, M23 had no plans to seize Rubaya, fearing it might be misconstrued as a bid for mineral wealth rather than protecting eastern DRC residents.

“We reported that Burundian forces were training Imbonerakure in Rubaya, teaching Congolese youth to use traditional weapons, intending to send them to areas we control to kill and cause suffering,” Bisimwa said. “When no action was taken to address the issue, we decided to intervene because the situation threatened to cause more harm than good.”

Upon taking Rubaya, M23 expelled all armed individuals operating in the mines, including children and pregnant women exploited in mining activities.

Bisimwa stated that no M23 fighters were allowed in the mines, which are now operated by the same mining companies active before May 2024.

The FDLR’s exploitation of Virunga park

Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is currently under M23’s control in partnership with ICCN, a DRC government agency overseeing the park.

Bisimwa explained that M23 intervened because the FDLR rebel group was destroying the park by cutting down trees to produce charcoal, generating $100 million annually.

“Before our arrival, the FDLR controlled the park and engaged in charcoal production. A UN report confirmed they made $100 million annually from this illegal activity,” he said.

DRC soldiers and other armed groups also exploited the park, hunting its wildlife and felling trees. “Had they remained, the park would have been left barren,” Bisimwa noted.

Bisimwa told Coulibaly that local residents had begun encroaching on parkland, disrupting its ecosystems. In addition to securing the park, M23 educated residents on its conservation benefits.

“Now, we see wildlife returning, including hippos, antelope families, and gorillas. It’s a positive transformation,” Bisimwa said.

He added that, besides being a UNESCO heritage site, Virunga is a gift from God to the Congolese people, deserving of protection and preservation.

Bisimwa stated that Tshisekedi thought Rwanda would sign whatever he wanted.

M23 captured Rubaya in May 2024, after learning that Burundian troops were training the Imbonerakure and armed groups there.

Virunga National Park rangers work with M23 to preserve it.

Bisimwa explained that M23 fighters captured additional areas in Lubero when they came under attack.