It was reported, Friday that the Angolan armed forces had joined the conflict in eastern DR Congo. This according to reports is a result of a request made by the Kinshasa government on October 29, when it became apparent that the rebel CNDP had an upper hand in the fighting.

Whereas the international community and more so regional countries have a role and obligation to help the warring Congolese reach an amicable and peaceful resolution to the conflict, no foreign country should try to escalate and further complicate the situation by joining the conflict militarily.

Military participation implies that those who are fighting perceive the problems of DR Congo as military in nature. The military aspect of the conflict is only a result of failure to chart and adhere to a fair political process. Thus the conflict that manifested through a military campaign is simply a symptom of deeper underlying political problem.

It would be more reasonable and proper for countries to help reach a political settlement rather than rendering partisan military support. What such countries that are reported to have intervened in DR Congo like Angola and Zimbabwe ought to do, is to urge their friends in Kinshasha to avoid the zero sum game they are playing and adhere to past agreements they are signatory to.

Despite deliberate provocation, Rwanda has refrained from joining the conflict, yet it is well known that there is a group-the FDLR/Interahamwe, that ought to have been disarmed, years as spelt out in past agreements. This should serve as aexample in restraint to the rest.

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