After over a year of conflict, there is likely a sigh of
relief today in the Congo as the infamous M23 rebel group and their leader
surrendered in Uganda earlier. General Sultani Makenga and approximately 1,700
of his rebel troops surrendered following peace talks that have not been
successful in securing a cease-fire – Uganda has been in charge of brokering
peace between the Congolese army and the rebels since peace talks began. Most
likely, Makenga chose to surrender across the Ugandan border for fear of prosecution
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with hopes that Uganda would not
extradite him. Makenga is subject to numerous UN sanctions, and is considered a
wanted man by the United States government for his alleged use of child
soldiers in his rebel movement.
Sultani Makenga
M23 began their campaign against the Congolese government in
April of last year, and at the height of their power, had taken over several
major cities in the Congo. A death toll is uncertain, but what is certain is
that, like other similar situations in Africa, this conflict resulted in untold
misery for thousands of families all across the region. The conflict even drew
the ire of the international community when a UN report alleged that Rwanda had
been secretly providing aid in the form of weapons and food to the rebels. M23
is comprised primarily of Tutsis, who were massacred by the Hutu majority in
Rwanda in 1994; therefore, the M23 rebels were seen as a significant threat to
the wellbeing of the Rwandan government.
On a continent where such rebel groups flourish, often
unabated by international forces, the prospect of peace after nearly two years
of conflict should be viewed optimistically here. Despite the surrender, both
parties must still sign a peace agreement, but that is expected to be
relatively painless and come sometime this weekend. The question that remains
is how Uganda will deal Makenga – turning him over to the DCR would likely
result in a death sentence for him, but he may also face war crimes charges at
the ICC should he come into their custody. For now, however, this is good news
for a wartorn region – news that is rare and should be celebrated as a peace
agreement is forged.
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