The Manden Charter established by Sundiata Keita is a historical document that originated in the 13th century in the Mali Empire of West Africa. It is considered as one of the earliest known constitutions in the world. It served as a guiding document for governance and social order within the empire.

 

The Charter was a set of laws and principles that aimed to regulate various aspects of society, including political administration, social organization, and economic activities. It was primarily based on the values and customs of the Mandinka people who formed a significant part of the empire's population.

 

Its Article 17 stated that: “Lies that have lived for 40 years should be considered like truths.”

 

To contextualize it easily, one can also refer to Joseph Goebbels, the propagandist minister of the Nazi German government during the Third Reich, who possessed a keen awareness of the influential nature of repeating falsehoods.

 

Goebbels infamously proclaimed that: "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it." This is a psychological phenomenon.

 

The set of normalizing lies is the simplest way to describe the UN Group of Experts (UNGoE) ‘report’. It is to advance a lie so much and so deep that it eventually becomes accepted as a fact.

 

The UNGoE has been entrusted with the responsibility of investigating the situation in eastern DRC, aiming to offer practical solutions to the country's insecurity challenges. However, their periodic reports deliberately overlook the shortcomings of the UN and the Congolese government in addressing the situation.

 

Reading their report released on June 19, it is obvious that the UNGoE fumbled with crafting a narrative that would shift blame on Rwanda for all the insecurities in the DRC when they had a very soft touch on the existence of the FDLR terrorist group in DRC, its alliance with the national army, FARDC, and cast doubts on the existing genocide against the Congolese Tutsi which they referred to as alleged despite the compelling evidence that it is indeed going on.

 

This approach undermines the objectivity and credibility of their analysis.

 

By focusing on unverified claims of blaming Rwanda, the authors of the report fail to offer practical solutions that can effectively address the challenges faced by the region. Moreover, the UNGoE overlook the failures and inefficiencies of the UN and the Congolese government in tackling the situation, perpetuating a limited and biased perspective.

 

In their latest report, the GoE accused the M23 rebels of exploiting the genocide narrative and creating an environment of fear, hate speech, and violent reprisals. They deliberately refused to acknowledge the suffering endured by the Tutsi community in DRC over the past three decades.

 

The calls for the extermination of this community, openly made by government officials, have been widely documented. Yet, the UN report reduces their plight to mere fear-mongering, thereby diminishing the gravity of the real situation.

 

The Group of Experts also exhibit a selective focus by briefly mentioning the alliance between the DRC government and FDLR, a sanctioned terrorist group responsible for targeting DRC’s Tutsi citizens for extermination. This undermines any effort to hold accountable those who are complicit in the violence. Additionally, the report fails to acknowledge the targeted killings of innocent civilians in areas that were vacated by the M23 as part of an EAC-led peace initiative.

 

Kinshasa's failure to honor previous peace agreements is disregarded, painting an incomplete picture of the situation on the ground.

 

The reports from the Group of Experts contributes to a bleak outlook for peace in eastern DRC.

 

Indications of government forces and their allies regrouping, including the FDLR and European mercenaries, for major attacks against the M23 raise serious concerns. The fact that the UN has maintained its most expensive peacekeeping operation in the country for over two decades without significant results further undermines confidence in the organization's ability to provide an effective solution to DRC's problems.

 

Given the limitations and shortcomings of the UN Group of Experts' reports, it becomes evident that alternative approaches are necessary to address the challenges.

 

These alternative approaches should prioritize the genuine concerns of the affected communities and address the underlying issues fueling the conflict. Engaging with a wider range of stakeholders, including regional actors, civil society organizations, and affected communities, is crucial to formulating comprehensive and inclusive strategies for lasting peace and stability in the region.

 

It is clear that the solutions to the country's problems cannot solely rely on the UN.

 

There is a need for enhanced regional cooperation and involvement. The neighboring countries such as Rwanda and Uganda play a crucial role in the stability of eastern DRC as primarily concerned and affected neighbors. Engaging them in constructive dialogue and collaboration can lead to more effective strategies to address the root causes of the conflict.

 

A regional approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of the issues and seeks collaborative solutions is essential.

 

Addressing the grievances and concerns of the affected communities is paramount. This includes prioritizing the protection of the Tutsi community and ensuring justice for the atrocities committed against them.

 

International organizations and governments must prioritize the protection of vulnerable populations and work collectively to ensure justice, security, and stability in the region.

 

Addressing the underlying socioeconomic factors is crucial for sustainable peace. Poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic services contribute to the cycle of violence and instability. Investing in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development can create opportunities and improve the livelihoods of the Congolese people. By addressing these structural issues, a more stable and prosperous future can be envisioned.

 

By adopting a comprehensive and inclusive approach, the prospects for peace in eastern DRC can be improved, and the suffering endured by the Tutsi community and other affected populations can be effectively addressed.

 

The DRC is a very rich country, considering its abundant natural resources wealth. It can give its population a decent standard of living if the politicians in Kinshasa were patriotic enough.