Road to peace a slippery mountain to climb for the DRC

THE path to peace for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region is a path of bold moves and collective accountability.

- DR YVAN YENDA ILUNGA

QATAR'S Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (centre) meeting with Rwandan leader Paul Kagame, left, and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi in Doha on March 18. The de-escalation of violence in the eastern region of the DRC following the Tshisekedi and Kagame meeting in Qatar demonstrates the value of high-level engagements, says the writer.

(AFP)

The current political and security situations in the region, and more specifically in the DRC, call for an unorthodox analysis at the four most dominant levels of international politics: international systems, the regional, state and individual levels.

The past failed attempts by the international community and Congolese actors to restore peace in the DRC show that best wishes and superficial resolutions alone are not enough.

Agreements must include reinforcement mechanisms, measurable outcomes and clear accountability measures. Whether supported by the UN Security Council (UNSC), as in the case of UNSC Resolution 2773, or through regional arrangements, such as the recent merger of the Congo peace processes between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC); peace and security in the DRC and the broader region of the Great Lakes depend on holding political actors accountable to the region, rule of law, state institutions and the citizens for their actions and decisions.

These accountability mechanisms should be made possible by the willingness of citizens and authorities to settle their differences and work for peace.

Beyond simplistic approaches: Since taking office in January 2019, President Felix Tshisekedi has vowed to promote peace and stability. His strategy of regionalising efforts through the EAC and SADC has been ineffective.