During a recent live Space discussion hosted by journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, prominent opposition figure and former Vice-Prime Minister José Makila Sumanda articulated strong views on the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the alleged involvement of former President Joseph Kabila in the ongoing conflict.

Addressing claims of Kabila’s presence in areas controlled by the M23 rebel movement, Makila emphatically dismissed any suggestion of complicity between the former head of state and the armed group. He stated, “No one from the M23 provided protection for Kabila,” further noting that all residents in Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu living under M23 administration are subject to the same local security forces.

Makila asserted that during his presidency, Kabila was solely focused on “defending the integrity of the territory.” He maintained that Kabila never harbored any personal disputes with M23 leaders such as Makenga or Nanga. Makila challenged critics, asking, “Now, he no longer bears the responsibility for this defense. What are you condemning him for?”

The opposition leader then redirected the blame for the M23’s resurgence in the Congolese political landscape squarely onto current President Félix Tshisekedi. “It’s not Kabila who brought the M23 back to Kinshasa; it’s Tshisekedi,” Makila declared. He argued that President Tshisekedi’s administration had normalized relations with the M23, thereby making any accusation against his predecessor inconsistent.

Regarding the nature of the conflict itself, Makila drew a crucial distinction between a declared inter-state war and a rebellion receiving external support. He rejected comparisons to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affirming that, to his knowledge, the DRC is not formally at war with Rwanda. Makila questioned, “We have Sukhoi jets, we have drones. Why aren’t these drones and Sukhois bombing Rwanda?” He cited the absence of direct strikes on Rwandan territory as evidence that the conflict is not a conventional war between states.

While cautious about military matters, Makila underscored his strictly political interpretation of these developments. “I am one hundred percent political. I am telling you what I understand politically,” he concluded, declining to engage in discussions he deemed outside his expertise.