In a live interview with journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, opposition leader and former Vice Prime Minister José Makila Sumanda delivered sharp remarks on the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the role of former President Joseph Kabila in this crisis.

On Kabila’s alleged ties with M23: Makila dismissed accusations of collusion between the former head of state and the rebel movement. “No one from M23 has ever provided protection to Kabila,” he declared, emphasizing that all civilians in North and South Kivu under M23 control are subject to the same local authorities. He argued that during his presidency, Kabila merely “defended national territorial integrity” without harboring personal disputes with rebel leaders like Makenga or Nanga. “Now that he no longer holds that responsibility, what exactly are you accusing him of?” he challenged.

Shifting blame to President Félix Tshisekedi: Makila went further, directly implicating the current president in the resurgence of M23 in Kinshasa. “It wasn’t Kabila who brought M23 to Kinshasa—it was Tshisekedi,” he insisted. In his view, Tshisekedi’s normalization of relations with the rebel group has made any criticism of Kabila inconsistent.

On the nature of the conflict: Makila drew a sharp distinction between a declared interstate war and an externally supported rebellion. Rejecting comparisons to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he noted that Congo is not formally at war with Rwanda. “We have Sukhoi jets, we have drones—why aren’t these targeting Rwanda?” he questioned, highlighting the absence of direct strikes on Rwandan soil as proof that this is not a state-to-state conflict. While cautious on military analysis, Makila firmly positioned himself as a political observer. “I am 100% political. I only comment on what I know in politics,” he concluded.