Defense expert Dean Wingrin stated that the situation in North Kivu deteriorated rapidly when the allied forces of the Congolese government launched an offensive against Rwandan forces and the M23.
These, in turn, retaliated with rocket launchers not far from the SAMIDRC base in Sake. The entry and exit routes to Goma are closed, and the M23 “wishes” to cancel the SADC withdrawal agreement by air from Goma. The M23 is blocking the Goma runway, which requires only minor repairs to be fully operational.
The Rwandan newspaper New Times reported on Thursday that a high-ranking source confirmed that a request had been made to the Rwandan government to facilitate the exit of SADC/SAMIDRC troops from eastern DRC via Rwanda.
“This is a development that is part of the African-led process to find lasting peace and security in the region, and the exit will be facilitated in a friendly manner,” the source told the New Times on Thursday morning, confirming that the request had been submitted this week.
“The agreement with the AFC/M23, supported by Rwanda, to open the Goma airport and repatriate SAMIDRC troops and equipment by air has failed,” said Wingrin, as the M23 reneged on the agreement. “Rwanda is the one calling the shots,” he added.
A revised withdrawal plan, resulting from a meeting held on Friday, April 11th by the heads of the three defense forces that provided troops and equipment to SAMIDRC (Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa), noted a delay in the reopening of the Goma airport and confirmed that the withdrawal would take place by road from Goma through Rwanda to Tanzania.
With Cyril Mokoena
