The leader of one of the major rebel groups operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced on Tuesday that they were abandoning the armed struggle in favour of a political solution. M23 had been under heavy pressure from the UN Intervention Brigade, now all eyes are on the UN to see whether the same pressure will be applied on the other armed groups, some of the most notorious ones being foreign outfits. It is time MONUSCO and its allies turned their guns towards the genocidal FDLR militia, remnants of those who carried out the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that have pitched camp in the Congo for close to two decades under the very noses of the UN. FDLR, one of the reasons that led to the creation of MONUSCO, has continued to enjoy impunity despite the world body’s pledge to deal with them. And they are not the only ones taking advantage of the UN’s now famous empty promises. The anti-Uganda government rebel group , ADF/NALU, the FNL from Burundi and dozens of local militia groups have been the greatest source of insecurity in the region, so if the UN disbands their sanctuary, tens of millions of citizens of the region will be relieved and embark on a journey to development themselves and communities. The DRC headache has had its run, millions have suffered because of selfish interests and shifting blame where it shouldn’t. This time sincerity should be the guiding principle for the UN because the comedy has gone on long enough.
