DRC: Members of Parliament Tackle Controversial Monusco Report

The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has mobilized the political class in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC. Tomorrow Saturday, June 2, a demonstration against the war is planned in the capital, an  initiative led by some members of the opposition and civil society. Rwanda's actions in the Congo is denounced by all sides since a United Nations report that documents Rwanda's involvement with rebels in the east. A closed door debate has begun in the National Assembly. It will resume Monday.

Several members of Parliament do not like the fact that talks are taking place behind closed doors with the former minster of defense, Charles Mwando. Member of Parliament Clement Kanku says "The Congolese people must know what is happening in the East, and what Rwanda is doing." Clement Kanku has called for a demonstration on Saturday to protest against the resumption of the war: "It's been over thirteen years that Rwanda has occupied the eastern Congo, said the MP. And the example of Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia, and his involvement in Sierra Leone, should inform us today and should instruct Rwanda."

One of his colleagues in the political majority, Venant Tshipasa, MP from North Kivu, thinks the same, and is not at all confident in the dialogue taking place between Kinshasa and Kigali: "I do not believe in the sincerity of Rwanda. I believe our government deals with Rwanda with both hands on the table while Rwanda shows us peace with the left hand and with the right hand takes the Kalashnikov to make war against us."

Former member of Parliament from South Kivu, Enock Ruberangabo, a member of the Tutsi Banyamulege community, takes a more measured stance. For him, a frank dialogue with Rwanda is in order, "Kigali must speak with Kinshasa to find solutions. We who are a part of the communities along the border are tired of this exploitation."

The situation in the East has often been ignored in Kinshasa, but this time it is at the forefront of the political debate.

Click here to sign petition calling for accountability in the Great Lakes Region.

Translated by Friends of the Congo from La Redaction: http://direct.cd/2012/06/01/rdc-a-kinshasa-les-parlementaires-semparent-du-rapport-polemique-de-la-monusco/