EngRegional
DRC's isolationist stance self-defeatist
One
year after joining the East African Community, the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) has shown little involvement with the regional organization. The country
detaches itself from the community’s many activities aimed at achieving its
objectives including security, stability, and political unification, despite
being the one most in need.
For
many years, eastern DRC has been experiencing an alarming uptick in conflicts, terrorist
group violence, and armed group fights against government forces including the
recent resurgence of the M23 rebels in late 2021.
The EAC
made this protracted security situation its top priority by putting a lot of effort
into finding lasting peace for its newest member, but Kinshasa keep playing the
isolation card in its problem.
On
February 4, the EAC Heads of State held the 20th Extra-Ordinary Summit in
Bujumbura, Burundi, to evaluate the security situation in eastern DRC and find a
solution. A statement issued after their summit stated that the leaders called
for an "immediate ceasefire” by all parties and the withdrawal of all
armed groups, including foreign armed groups.
The
Presidents emphasized that these activities have to be complemented by dialogue.
A
day after the summit which Congolese President, Felix Tshisekedi, himself
attended, Kinshasa contradicted the summit’s resolution and issued a communiqué
stating that DRC will not dialogue with the rebels.
A
few days later, on February 15 to 17, Congolese lawmakers boycotted a retreat
of the members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) that was held in
Kampala and Kigali, alleging that they were concerned about their security
despite both countries being safe.
Refusing
to join other members of the Assembly revealed that DRC is opposed to the EAC
integration from which Tshisekedi signed the Treaty of Accession in March 2022
and reaffirm his country’s readiness to play its role in the Community to make
it stronger and more prosperous.
This
was a clear sign that DRC doesn’t want to work together with the EAC, which
invests all its effort to end the fighting endangering the entire region's
peace and stability.
Since
August 2022, the EAC started deploying a joint force, to quell the violence and
help restore peace and stability. EACRF has made tremendous progress and
efforts in restoring peace in eastern DRC. The forces took over most of the
areas that were previously occupied by M23 rebels.
Despite
the EACRF’s remarkable job and efforts in restoring peace, Kinshasa does not wish to extend the
regional force’s mandate but wishes for their departure.
DRC President wished EACRF to fight the
M23 rebels, contrary to their mandate, which was using force only when the
rebels refuse to withdraw. Now Kinshasa accuses them of ‘collaborating and
favoring’ the rebels.
Kinshasa
spoils every peace-restoring effort made by the regional bloc and keeps pushing
the narrative that Rwanda is the aggressor, and the DRC is the perpetual
victim.
Tshisekedi
is promoting an isolationist policy by distancing his government from any
initiative of the Community. This only disrupts the development of regional
initiatives that aim to deepen cooperation among partner states.
On
April 28, the commander of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF)
Maj Gen Jeff Nyagah resigned; citing safety concerns after unknown people
threatened him.
“As you are aware, there was an attempt to intimidate my
security at my former residence by deploying foreign military contractors
(mercenaries) who placed monitoring devices, flew drones, and conducted
physical surveillance of my residence in early January 2023 forcing me to
relocate,” reads part of the resignation letter.
Intimidating
EACRF personnel to leave the country, downplaying the regional force’s work,
and openly showing signs of distrust towards EAC is a sign that Tshisekedi is
willingly worsening problems in eastern DRC, to postpone the December
elections.
He does
not have any interest in a ceasefire or dialogue.
He wants
every effort made to restore peace in DRC to fail so that he can stay in
office.
