Dennis Mukwege, DRC Presidential Candidate for December 2023

On May 17, 2023, Dr. Denis Mukwege, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner, appointed  a special advisor and  other political leaders and activists within his closest team.  The appointment of Congolese political figures as his closest advisors, raised the expectations that  Dr. Denis Mukwege was ready for the next steps:  a political career with the aim to become the next President of the DRC in the upcoming elections, planned in December 2023.  Now, as predicted in our previous article, Dr Dennis Mukwege has confirmed his bid to become the next DRC President (see DR Congo: Will Dr. Denis Mukwege Be the Next President in December 2023?). 

Rwandan Gorilla Grooming its Kid

Rwanda’s long time ruling dictator General Paul Kagame has made another step on the path to his succession, preparing the heir to the throne. This time, he appointed his 29-years-old daughter Ms Ange Kagame to a high government position within the presidency, upgraded the position of his son in the military, and  reinforced the faction within the military that supports his succession plan.  The changes have widely raised concerns among the independent observers of the situation in Rwanda,  but also within the Rwandan ruling elite and the military. 

Defeated M23 Rebels soldiers in a camp in Rwanda in 2013

On July 28, 2023, the European Union (EU)  sanctioned  Rwandan and  Congolese nationals responsible for or involved in the wars, massacres, human tragedies, and serious human rights violations  in  the Eastern of the DR Congo.

In the latest months, after a worldwide agreement on the invasion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) under the cover of the M23 rebels, the focus has been shifted to the actions the United Nations Security Council,  the European Union, and other entities or governments plan to take against the Rwandan military leaders and. those responsible for the tragedy in the DRC.  The actions by the EU appear to be the first step, as the United Nations Security Council has also been working on its list of individuals and organizations to be sanctioned.  The question now is: when will the sanctions be enacted  by the UN and extended by EU  and who will be targeted?

Niger military coup leaders led by Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, on July 26, 2023

On July 25, 2023, the President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum  was overthrown by a military junta led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchian also known as Omar Tchiani.  During protests following the coup,  hundreds of people, who supported the coup, gathered outside the National Assembly, holding some Russian flags and  hand-written signs saying: "Down with France" and "Foreign bases out".  The protesters  accused  Mohamed Bazoum of being a puppet of France's  Emmanuel Macron and Rwandan dictator Paul Kagame. 

The coup supporters were also pointing their fingers to the ruling party leaders, accusing them of corruption, ineptitude to improve the security situation  in the country and lack of the clear resolve to  fight against the jihadist insurgency that has been growing in the country for so long, despite inviting foreign troops, including the Rwandan military.

Defeated M23 Rebels soldiers in a camp in Rwanda in 2013

Over 2013 the Rwandan Government was increasingly isolated by many Western governments and African leaders over its role in perpetuating insecurity in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. 10 Years Later, the history appears to repeat itself. The question now is: are we ready for the dire dynamics in the region?

M23 Rebels in Rwanda in 2013

On Wednesday June 1, 2022, The United Nations called for effective military operations against M23 rebels, a congolese militia founded, supported, and reinforced by the Rwandan army. The call to the military response was made in Goma, North Kivu by Ms Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC. The call follows another call from Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, the Catholic Church Leader in DRC.