Interview with Azarias Ruberwa, secretary general of RCD-Goma

Azarias Ruberwa is the secretary-general and second-in-command to Adolphe Onusumba of the Rwandan-backed rebel movement, Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma). Ruberwa is leading RCD-Goma's delegation in the national follow-up committee for the inter-Congolese dialogue, responsible for establishing a two-year transitional national government to be headed by current DRC President Joseph Kabila. The RCD-Goma delegation arrived in the DRC capital, Kinshasa, on Sunday for the first time since war erupted over four years ago, to take part in the national follow-up committee, which began its work on Tuesday. In an interview with IRIN on Wednesday, Ruberwa explained his role in the follow-up committee and what remains to be done to solidify peace in the DRC. QUESTION: You have been named president of one of the two subcommissions of the follow-up committee for the inter-Congolese dialogue, namely the political committee that will address matters relating to national defence. During the preliminary meeting on Tuesday, did you discuss questions related to the formation of a unified national army? ANSWER: the president of the Republic heads the follow-up committee. We have a president of the political subcommittee, which is I, while Mr Olivier Kamitatu [secretary general] of the MLC [Mouvement de liberation du Congo, a Ugandan-backed rebel group] will preside over the logistical committee [responsible for putting in place transitional government institutions]. Professor Samba Kaputo [deputy chief of staff of President Joseph Kabila] is serving as the rapporteur. There is a spokesperson from the civil society sector. All parties [to the inter-Congolese dialogue] are represented in one of the committees, so there is good representation. We discussed numerous subjects during the Tuesday meeting, including the issue of the army. But we did not resolve the matter. We instead decided that this question as well as others should be handled by the subcommittees, with the understanding that the issue of the army would also be addressed during the meeting of the leaders of the various Congolese armed factions [scheduled to be held on Friday]. Therefore, it will be dealt with at two levels. I do not really want to go into the different positions [of the parties]. What is important is that there be good faith among all parties to find solutions as soon as possible. Q: You speak of good faith, however, RCD-Goma has not agreed to the sharing of responsibilities for the military as proposed by the mediation. The government, the MLC, the Mayi-Mayi, and the RCD-Kisangani/Mouvement de liberation do not agree that RCD-Goma should hold the post of defence minister as well the command of ground forces, the only branch of the military of any significance. Are you ready to make concessions on this? A: No, because there is only one neutral [military] force, so to whom would we be making concessions? The [Kinshasa] government [of Kabila] already has the post of chief of staff [of the military], which is a more important role. If we had it, we would be content. Nevertheless, we have come to Kinshasa with sufficient good faith to resolve all outstanding matters. Having seen how the meeting went on Tuesday, I do believe that we are going to find solutions with regard to the military. The solution is not to say that RCD-Goma relinquishes the leadership of the ground forces. The solution can be found in other sectors, such as who will be responsible for command of various military regions. Therefore, there are many questions that remain to be answered; there are many posts that have not yet been assigned. I believe we should not get stuck on this issue. We have come here to find solutions to all the unresolved issues, and I am convinced that by the end of the week, we will have made progress. Already we made enormous progress during the meeting on Tuesday, such as setting the date for the meeting of the leaders of the various armed factions on Friday and setting 7 May, Wednesday, as the deadline for all parties to submit their lists of candidates for the vice-presidencies and other government posts. Q: Will RCD-Goma be ready to submit its list of candidates by that date? A: Absolutely, that's the deadline. We have always said that once a deadline is set, there is no reason not to be ready. Even if we have to return to Goma for further discussions in order to finalise our list of candidates, we would do it. We take such deadlines seriously. It looks as though the political opposition will have the most difficulty in reaching consensus, but it, too, will have to make every effort to meet this deadline. Q: According to a declaration made by delegates to the follow-up committee at the end of the meeting on Tuesday, there is no longer a rebellion, a government, or Mayi-Mayi. Does RCD-Goma see it this way? Are you ready to transform yourselves into a political party? A: We are ready to become a political party very soon. We have already begun the process, and discussions have advanced greatly. However, at present, there are attacks being launched by negative forces in the east. If we were to say we are nothing more than a political party, what would we have done, for example, last Friday when a hundred bombs were fired into the city of Uvira? But once the government institutions are put in place during the month of May - which, in principle, is the month that such institutions should be established - then we can dissolve our army and let the national army and national unity government handle all these military and security questions in the east and focus on our transformation into a political party. This is only a matter of weeks, now. Q: You accused the government of having sent senior officers to fight alongside the Mayi-Mayi in Uvira, but the government introduced journalists in Kinshasa to the man you said was the commander of these operations in Uvira in order show that your accusations were false. What is your reaction to that? A: Information in my possession indicates that we are not talking about the same person. I do not really wish to argue this point. However, Col Delphin (Kahimbi) who was present here [in Kinshasa], according to credible sources, is another person. The Col Delphin involved in fighting in Uvira along with a number of other officers, this is not the same who was presented in Kinshasa. Nevertheless, we will soon get past these various problems. Responsibility for the war in the east will be out of the control of the belligerents and into the hands of [government] institutions. And it is by this way that we will bring security to the east of the Republic. We are also going to provide security for neighbouring countries that have often had legitimate concerns for their own security. It will be the responsibility of the Congolese state to assure the peace and security of the entirety of its territory, as well as that of all of its neighbours. Q: You mentioned that the political opposition is having the most difficulty choosing its delegates for the transitional government institutions. In your capacity as head of the political committee, are you ready to help them find a solution, and if so, how? A: In theory, there is to be no interference in the internal matters of any party to the accord. We believe that this is an important principle. However, if at their own initiative they believe they could be helped either by the national follow-up committee or the international follow-up committee - which we very much need - then there would be no problem with other parties providing them with advice. We as the RCD-Goma can ourselves request advice when we find it necessary, but the principle is that the question must be treated internally. I believe there are numerous divergences [among the political opposition] as it is not a monolithic entity as is the government, RCD-Goma, and MLC. In fact, it is proof of a pluralistic, democratic process. But I believe that we will wait for them to announce mature decisions on their choices for vice-president, ministers and vice-ministers. And, given the years of experience the Congolese political opposition has had under various dictatorial regimes, I have every confidence that they will arrive at a consensus and give the Congolese people men who are capable, credible, and honorable for the transition period. Q: Arriving in Kinshasa after four years and nine months of war, you declared the end to the war and the free circulation of persons and goods throughout the entirety of Congolese territory. However, until now, free navigation of the Congo River has not yet resumed. When, therefore, do you expect the Congo River to be re-opened for navigation? A: The reopening has already taken place; we have given approval for boats [from Kinshasa] to travel to Kisangani. However, as it the case in any modern state, there are a certain number of formalities that must be respected. Travel plans must be submitted, tickets must be purchased, and schedules must be put in place. I believe that these are things that will develop progressively. What is most important is that people coming from Kinshasa to Kisangani can navigate the river. All that remains is working out certain modalities and details. As I said upon my arrival in Kinshasa, we have come to mark the end of the war and the re-start of normal activities. We are going to do this to avoid any situation getting out of control, through the establishment of institutions and the rehabilitation of the economic and social sectors. We believe what we are saying and we are going to back this up with action.