Is Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) On the New Path to Peace?
By Ignatius Bahizi, East Africa Editor – The African Gazette Of late, we are observing a change in the foreign policies of Uganda and Rwanda towards their neighbor – the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of which they have been part and parcel of insecurity there. This has been mainly due to their enemies – the Allied democratic forces (ADF), and the Democratic Forces for the liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), both rebel groups with bases in DRC, instrumental in destabilizing their respective countries.
With the ascension to power of President Felix Tshisekedi, DRC’s foreign policy changed in the way it relates with its regional peers. Tshisekedi’s approach has seen regional partners start to look at his country as a partner in Development – especially since it can provide a market for regional products with her population of about 90 million people – than viewing it as a mere buffer zone.
While meeting President Tshisekedi at the launch of joint infrastructure projects between Uganda and DRC at the border of Mpondwe/Kasindi last month, President Museveni described his counterpart as a man who came to power with a positive attitude and does not want any suspicion or conflict with his neighbors. In his speech, Tshisekedi emphasized the need for building bridges with her neighbors rather than engaging in conflicts.
The attitude that Museveni is talking about can be seen in how the new President has quickly found a footing with his fairly peaceful neighbors and has quickly decided to have his country join their regional grouping, the East African Community (EAC).
Joining the East African Community
EAC member states have their own challenges like not respecting agreements between them. However, Kivus and Ituri territories of DRC, which have been the epicenter of regional conflicts are geographically closer to Kigali and Kampala than they are to the South African Development Community (SADC) member countries, which his predecessor Joseph Kabila seemed keener to deal with.
Allying with EAC is more strategic towards solving the insecurities in Eastern DRC, since President Tshisekedi is going to interact more often with other partner states like Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, which face conflicts that are interlinked with those in DRC. Once DRC becomes a full member of the community, her security problems in the East will partly be a responsibility of the entire regional block with a more intimate appreciation of the problem. Neutral states like Kenya and Tanzania will most likely prevail over their colleagues to tame Rwanda and Uganda’s aggressiveness. This could be a better solution than appealing to states in SADAC like South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana or Zambia, which are far removed from the problems of Eastern DRC.
Tshisekedi’s positive attitude has also made Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda develop a healthy business attitude towards his country. For long, the political turbulences there have provided ground for illicit trading activities and exploitation of DRC resources by foreigners. The scene had been bleak with people starving, dying and others fleeing their homes, while many being trapped in protracted refugee situations across the region. Now, the three countries are scrambling for the new opportunities a peaceful DRC is capable of providing on equal footing.
From anarchy to business partnerships
The oldest and longest-serving in the region, perhaps from his wide knowledge and experience of the historical, political, and security affairs of the region led the way by proposing joint infrastructure projects with his neighbor. Last month (June) the two leaders laid a foundation stone for the construction of three strategic roads starting from Uganda’s borders into DRC linking to towns like Goma, Beni, and Butembo. The over 200 kilometers of roads to be jointly funded by both governments in partnership with the Ugandan contractor are expected to open the way for more trade between the two states and the entire region.
The projects will not only boost trade that has been hampered by the almost impassable roads on the side of DRC, but will also act as an important factor towards solving the complex problem of insecurity caused by dozens of armed militias, some of whom originate from neighboring countries. How to navigate Eastern DRC has been one of the challenging questions faced by security agencies, as they counter the insurgencies.
Kenya, which is shrewder at business, quickly spotted a huge market for her more advanced manufacturing sector and President Uhuru Kenyata flew to Kinshasa in March. In a meeting with President Tshisekedi and Kinshasa’s Bureaucrats, Kenyata with his team tabled incentives such as dedicating clearing space for DRC imports at Mombasa port. The region’s biggest economy further promised to send its army to also try their luck solving the security puzzle in Eastern DRC.
Not to miss out on the new opportunities in the pipeline, Rwanda, the smallest neighbor in landmass must reasonably protect her security interests, which cannot be guaranteed without keeping a wide-open eye on happenings in the Kivu regions of DRC. Rwanda has kept undercover operations in North Kivu since 1994 when Rwandans believed to have participated in the genocide, fled there. Some are believed to still be living in that area, and therefore the smaller nation must think of new ways of relating with her massive neighbor to the west.
Immediately after President Tshisekedi flagged off the joint roads project with Uganda, President Kagame invited him to their shared border of Rubavu, and the latter was also welcomed in Goma city the next day. The two signed bilateral agreements on security and trade, following Rwanda’s interest in investing in a gold refinery in DRC previously.
Beginning of peace in Eastern DRC
This new focus on commerce with DRC, rather than anarchy needs a secure environment to flourish. It should be in the interests of all the region’s nations to ensure their investments in that country are protected sustainably.
It is also in the interest of DRC to protect the mutual relations with Burundi, South Sudan, and Tanzania – her other neighbors in the EAC block who have not yet come open on their national interests with her. However, it is truly right and just for DRC to join the East African community of which it is a natural member of the security community. This might go a long way in solving the mystery surrounding the insecurity question that has plagued the East of the country for decades.
Ignatius Bahizi is the East Africa Editor of The African Gazette. He is a journalist of repute and an analyst of geopolitics and security of the Great Lakes region of Africa and has worked in the region for over ten years with different local and international media houses.
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