Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has revealed that a recent drone attack in Goma was intended to assassinate him and others. In an exclusive interview with CTGL, Kabila stated that the attack occurred during a period of relative calm, when he and others believed they were safe in the city. The attack resulted in the death of a United Nations employee.
Kabila expressed confidence that he was the target of the assassination attempt, citing information he received after the attack. He claimed that some individuals in Kinshasa celebrated the incident, suggesting that they had achieved their goal. Kabila questioned why people would be rejoicing at 9 pm and 3 am, implying that they were aware of his presence in Goma.
The former president also mentioned that drone attacks have been killing people in Masisi and that such incidents continue to cause concern in areas like Minembwe and South Kivu. Kabila's comments come amid ongoing efforts to address the conflict in the region. Recently, he founded the FRN, a new group that has taken over the activities of the AFC/M23.
Kabila's FRN was engaged in Doha talks aimed at finding a solution to the long-standing conflict in eastern Congo. He stated that the Doha talks, which involve the DRC government and his group, are one possible way to achieve peace, but emphasized that national talks are also necessary to bring together all parties involved in the conflict.
Kabila stressed that national talks should be inclusive, impartial, and conducted in a spirit of independence. He also emphasized the need for mechanisms to monitor the implementation of any agreements reached. The former president criticized the current government's approach to national dialogue, suggesting that it is trying to dictate the terms of the talks.
Kabila expressed concerns about the state of the political landscape in DRC, warning that closing off political avenues can lead people to view armed conflict as the only means of resolving issues. He argued that if the government fails to provide a peaceful solution, citizens may be forced to resort to violence.
The relationship between Kabila and current President Félix Tshisekedi remains tense, with Kabila accusing Tshisekedi of failing to address the country's problems. Kabila's comments are likely to exacerbate existing tensions between the two leaders, and may have significant implications for the ongoing conflict in the region.
Key points
- Joseph Kabila reveals that a recent drone attack in Goma was intended to assassinate him and others.
- Kabila emphasizes the need for inclusive national talks to address the conflict in DRC.
- The former president criticizes the current government's approach to national dialogue.
