EAC leaders give hope for permanent solution on insecurity in DRC

On April 21, East African Community (EAC) heads of state held a conclave that specifically discussed ways to finding a lasting solution to the issue of insecurity in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Their meeting was held in Nairobi, Kenya. 

The conclave hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta in his capacity as the Chair of the EAC summit took note of the situation in eastern DRC and of neighbouring countries and agreed on a number of things. If applied, it will exemplify the capabilities of effective integration in wiping out negative armed groups that have been a security menace not just for DRC but the entire region.

The meeting attracted divergent opinions from commentators divided into two main groups; the pessimists and the optimists.

However, one thing should be given a round of applause. Rarely, or never, have we seen our leaders meet to discuss objectively on the prevailing insecurity problem in DRC and its effects on neighbouring countries and agree on a joint roadmap to mitigate or remove it.

Previously, such meetings aimed at attaining quick fixes to the deep-rooted problem that has remained endemic to the region for three decades.

This is without any doubt a long overdue exercise by the EAC Summit. But it is never too late. What matters most is the fact that our leaders agreed that the situation in eastern DRC cannot allow for effective regional integration, and sustainable development, to take place.

Regional infrastructure development projects, economic integration and all the provisions for the EAC Common Market Protocol cannot happen under the current situation in eastern DRC.

Understandably, EAC leaders appreciate the fact that it is very important to have the DRC join the bloc, and more importantly, that the situation in eastern DRC mainly characterized by the insecurity caused by different armed groups is an issue that can be solved by EAC member states collectively through political and military means.

For years now, the United Nations stabilization mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has feigned to deal with the problems of insecurity in DRC. But they failed spectacularly.

The problem instead worsened despite the billions of dollars that have gone into this UN mission. Analysts always pointed a finger at the ineptitude of the mission in bringing about the solutions to the insecurity issues in the region. Others have been bold enough to conclude that, actually, this mission could be part of the problem.

From the April 21 conclave of EAC leaders, in Nairobi, the people of eastern DRC can now hope for a sustainable solution to their insecurity problems. But more so, they can hope to see a number of regional integration projects being effected in DRC. Projects such as road and railway construction, electrification projects, environmental protection projects and others that will, without doubt, transform their lives as they bring sustainable solutions to their most fundamental issues.

For all the rebel groups operating in eastern DRC, it is just a matter of time before they are eliminated either through peaceful means or through military intervention. 

What they need to understand is that now, more than ever, sustainable security of DRC, especially eastern DRC is a subject of interest not of DRC alone but of all member states of the region that would like to develop trade and cooperation within the integration framework with their new member, the DRC.

The smartest move from all the armed groups would only be to surrender to the generous available options extended to them by the conclave.