In an interview with The Telegraph, UK-based publication, Corneille Nangaa, leader of the AFC/M23 alliance, declared that his coalition would continue fighting — despite a recently signed statement of principles between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda in Washington — until President Félix Tshisekedi leaves office, either by stepping down or being removed.
“We must stay true to the voice of the Congolese people,” Nangaa asserted. “Congolese people don’t want to hear the phrase ‘ceasefire,’ not because they crave war, but because they no longer want Félix Tshisekedi in power.”
He went on to criticize Tshisekedi’s government for avoiding certain topics.
“They don’t like to hear words like ‘negotiations,’” Nangaa said. “They don’t want to hear anyone speak of leaving this city — not on their terms, nor ours.”
During the interview, Nangaa, who reportedly swapped military fatigues for a civilian jacket, drew a striking biblical comparison, likening President Tshisekedi to the prophet Jonah, infamous for causing a storm at sea until he was thrown overboard.
“Jonah was the reason for the storm, and it wasn’t until he was cast into the waters that calm returned,” Nangaa stated. “Tshisekedi is the Jonah of the DRC. The day we remove him, the fighting will stop and peace will return.”
His remarks come as AFC/M23 recently met with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo in their first face-to-face talks held in Qatar — a development many believed could mark a step toward ending nearly five years of conflict in eastern Congo.
