While in 2012, Raymond Tshibanda, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, was appointed by Joseph Kabila to lead talks with the M23 in Kampala, resulting in the Nairobi Declarations in 2013, this time it is a security man, Papy Mbuyi, the number two at the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), whom Félix Tshisekedi has chosen to negotiate in Doha with the resurgent M23. These discussions in Qatar have led to a ceasefire commitment between the two parties.
With little media presence and discreet, rarely seen on social media, Papy Mbuyi is nonetheless not a novice. This seasoned security official possesses more than 28 years of experience in the strategic field.
His background demonstrates solid training acquired both in the DRC and abroad in strategic areas. This expertise has allowed him to rise through the ranks within the DGM. A director for several years, he was promoted to Deputy Director General in 2019, where he mainly focused on border issues. An ascent he owes to his skills, far from any favoritism.
Now known to the Congolese and international public thanks to the signing, on April 23rd in Doha, of a joint declaration of cessation of hostilities with the M23-AFC on behalf of the Congolese government, Papy Mbuyi Kanguvu is in favor of this agreement widely publicized by Qatar. He sees it as a decisive turning point for the return of peace to the east of the DRC, a region plagued by instability since the resurgence of this rebel movement supported by Rwanda in November 2021.
History will remember his name as that of the Republic’s negotiator in this armed conflict that will have lasted three and a half years.
Scooprdc
