DRC-RWANDA:INVESTIGATION: Congo Faces Split As Rebels Plan New State Of Kivu

Several armed groups in the vast Kivu Province have joined hands in a bid to force a major break away from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Chimpreports.com can exclusively reveal.

Led by Colonel Albert Kahasha, the groups are seeking territorial independence and will soon announce a government separate from the Kinshasa leadership.

In a statement released Thursday to this news website, a provincial platform has been formed, “in protest against the central government in Kinshasa inability to take the leadership in reconciliation between the daughters and sons of the Great Kivu.”

Signed by a one Martin Tetunga on behalf of the “Reconciliatory Consultative Council

For Security Development In The Great Kivu,” the statement further reads:

“Members to this platform are the following: Pareco, The group lead by Colonel Albert Kahasha, CNDP/M23 and the union of Congolese for the defense of Democracy.”

Tetunga also notes that “consultation with the leadership of the following groups is on the way: Mai Mai Raia Mutomboki, Mai Mai Cheka, Mai Mai Yakutumba and the group known as Mudundu 40.”

The development comes on the backdrop of a mutiny led by warlord Gen. Bosco Ntaganda that has plunged the country in deeper political turmoil.

Speaking to press on Tuesday in Kigali, President Paul Kagame denied any involvement in the Congo crisis that has forced thousands of refugees to Rwanda and Uganda.

Kagame denied that Rwanda was supporting Ntaganda with arms and forces, blaming the international community for peddling lies and fuelling the crisis for economic gain.

Kinshasa authorities have publicly accused Kigali of supporting a mutiny in Congo which has threatened peace and security in the region.

Some rebel commanders now believe splitting Congo from Kivu will bring about peace, unity and respect of human rights in the region thus solving the DRC crisis.

According to Tetunga, as a regional structure, the objectives of the ‘Reconciliatory Consultative Council For Security Development In The Great Kivu’ include initiating reconciliation among the daughters and sons of the Great Kivu.

They intend also to “explore all possible avenues for peaceful coexistence among all the tribes and ethnics groups living in The Great Kivu and enforcing security for all the people in the area irrespective of their tribes, gender, religion and ethnic background.”

Tetunga adds the move will as well initiate an administrative system by the people and for the people in the Great Kivu.

This implies the new joint force intends to hold general elections for Kivu to put in place a functioning government.

Tetunga further states the group will initiate a grass root campaign against corruption, nepotism and inefficiency in public service.

“We believe these are the aspirations of all the Congolese people which are long overdue,” says Tetunga.

WHY SPLIT

Multiple sources in the diplomatic community have revealed the rebels want to put an end to the gross human rights violations in Kivu by forming a government similar to that of South Sudan.

 “They want political reform and to be given a chance to manage their security. The rebellion is already going on and they have captured many territories from the DRC army,” said a highly placed source.

“People of the Eastern Congo have been marginalized, forgotten and the region has been engulfed by endless bloody ethnic and sectarian conflicts. What we are seeing is self determination within the DRC. The issue also is affecting the whole DRC not eastern part alone.  The issues is national not just themselves alone,” said a source.

“It will take time to split but once they have galvanized the political and security of the region, then they can propose for any sort of Independence. But their main concern today is the international community to know their objectives and what they intend to achieve in a long term. They want their concern to be seen as national not sectarian or regional,” the source said.