DRC can work with EAC to eradicate armed militia groups

The admission of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the East African Community (EAC) appears to be a process that is almost getting to conclusion. If the deal is finally sealed, the DRC will be the seventh partner state added to Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The current population of the DRC is estimated at more than 94 million people which will boost the EAC's total population to more than 270 million.

The expansion of the EAC will provide a great opportunity to deal with regional challenges including: economic, political, security, and climate change, through joint cooperation within established EAC mechanisms as well as bilateral initiatives.

For decades now, the Great Lakes Region has been synonymous with insecurity in all its scopes. But the heart of that insecurity has always been traced in the eastern part of DRC, more than other countries in the region.

Armed militia groups within the Great Lakes Region have taken advantage of the vast forest cover in DRC to establish camps from where they launch attacks within DRC and neighboring countries.  

Hundreds of Congolese civilians have lost their lives while others have been forced out of their homes to either become internally displaced, or forced into exile in neighbouring countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and Kenya.

Much as the Congolese bear the most brunt of these militia groups, other EAC countries are all aware of the trans-boundary nature of the insecurity in DRC and understand that they are not out of danger until a long-last solution is found.

Sometimes back, the DRC and Rwanda engaged in a joint military operation dubbed “Umoja Wetu” which aimed at neutralizing the FDLR and allied armed groups mainly in eastern DRC. Umoja Wetu managed to significantly reduce the military strength of FDLR and allied armed groups in DRC, as many were put out of action while others were captured. 

In November 2021, the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Congolese army (FARDC) launched a joint offensive dubbed 'Operation Shuja' against the Allied Democratic Force (ADF) rebels in DRC in a bid to wipe them out. One of the top ADF commanders, Benjamin Kisokorania, was reported captured while a number of military camps were dismantled.

After over 20 years and billions of dollars, United Nations peacekeeping mission there, MONUSCO, has terribly failed to bring about the much needed peace in DRC.

On the other hand, we have witnessed practical solutions through bilateral initiatives with DRC neighbors.

The DRC needs to take advantage of joining the EAC and push for regional mechanisms like the operationalization of the East African Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) in addressing the decades-long insecurity problems and totally eradicate negative armed militia forces.

The insecurity in eastern DRC has not only claimed lives of people and turned hundreds others into internally displaced persons, or refugees. It also contributed to economic stagnation.

The insecurity in DRC is something that can be solved through bilateral and EAC mechanisms. Once done, the EAC can then focus on dealing with issues that impede economic development the regional integration.