Efforts Made By International Institutions

UN…Continues Barking
The UN has since the start of the conflict used all the necessary means to make sure peace returns to eastern DRC. Apart from the deployment of peacekeeping troops, MONUSCO, the UN Security Council has held meetings and supported several initiatives. But it has not been able to declare any sanctions on Rwanda and leaders of the rebel groups due to the intransigent attitude of some of its members with veto powers. In a recent voting, Russia and China blocked a resolution tabled by the UK for sanctions. Even rotating African countries at the Security Council could not decide. At this juncture, only a credible, internationally facilitated process, whose participants have the commensurate experience and stature to act above the regional mistrust that is the hallmark of local processes, would bring the necessary parties into a constructive dialogue. The recently appointed African Union (AU) Special Representative could be usefully complemented by a UN-mandated mediation process or the appointment of a group of wise-men to support African-led conflict resolution efforts.

AU…Undecided
The ongoing conflict between the DRC and Rwanda has kept the African Union on alert. Even though the continental bloc condemned the heinous attacks carried out by M23 rebel groups backed by Rwanda, it has failed to agree on any sanctions. Under the auspices of Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who is the continental bloc mediator, the two countries have met in Luanda. During these meetings, a harmonized peace plan was put on the table. It called on Rwanda to dismantle its forces in exchange for Congo eliminating a Hutu rebel group that had attacked Tutsis in both countries. But Rwanda made the signing of the peace agreement conditional on the organization of a direct dialogue between Congo and the M23 rebels.  The Congolese government refused the offer leading to the postponement of the talks. The failure to reach a deal, dashed hopes to bring the fight to a close prompting M23, rebels which is one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo, to seize swathes of the eastern DRC.

EU…Still Reflecting
The European Union has not been able to come out with a common decision with regards to the crisis in DR Congo. In a statement issued, the EU strongly condemned the recent occupation by the armed group M23 and its continuous advances as a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreed on in Luanda (Angola). Urged Rwanda to end its cooperation with M23 and withdraw its military forces from the DRC territory. But the absence of a joint EU sanctions, has prompted some of her members to take individual steps. Belgium authorities are to review an agreement with the Rwandan government intended to secure the supply of critical materials used in smartphones and electric cars. Critics say the EU-Rwanda agreement is enabling “conflict minerals” to enter global and European supply chains. Funds from smuggled minerals are suspected to help finance the armed groups responsible for the spiraling conflict, with devastating humanitarian consequences for civilians in the eastern DRC. There are also calls for the EU to suspend its €300-billion infrastructure partnership plan “Global Gateway”, aimed at reducing dependency on geo-strategic rival China.

EAC…Aiming High
Since the start of the crisis, leaders of the East African Community (EAC) have...