José Makila accuses Félix Tshisekedi of bringing M23 back to Kinshasa

During a live broadcast on Thursday, opposition leader and former Vice Prime Minister José Makila Sumanda delivered sharp remarks on the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the role of former President Joseph Kabila in this crisis.

Kabila’s alleged ties with M23 disputed

Makila forcefully rejected claims that Joseph Kabila had any connection with the M23 rebel movement. “No one from M23 ever protected Kabila,” he declared, emphasizing that all civilians in North and South Kivu under M23 control live under the same authorities as before. “Kabila defended national territory during his presidency, but he never had personal conflicts with rebel leaders Makenga or Nanga,” he added.

Tshisekedi’s responsibility in M23’s resurgence

The former government official went further, directly blaming President Félix Tshisekedi for the return of M23 to Kinshasa. “It was not Kabila who brought M23 back to Kinshasa—it was Tshisekedi,” he stated. Makila argued that the current administration’s normalization of relations with the rebel group made it illogical to hold Kabila accountable for past actions.

Conflict classification and regional implications

Makila drew a clear distinction between an interstate war and an externally supported rebellion. He dismissed comparisons to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, asserting that the DRC is not formally at war with Rwanda. “We have Sukhoi jets and drones—why aren’t these targeting Rwanda?” he questioned, pointing to the absence of direct strikes on Rwandan soil as evidence that Kinshasa is not engaged in a state-to-state conflict.

The opposition figure maintained a strictly political perspective on the crisis. “I am 100% political in my analysis. What I know is what happens in politics,” he concluded, refusing to delve into military interpretations of the conflict.

• Security
• June 19, 2026 – 13:52