SIX HEADS of State this week met in the Angolan capital, Luanda, to re-examine the situation of negative forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Among the key outcomes was a decision to impose political and economic sanctions on all negative forces operating in DRC, among them the notorious Democratic Forces for the liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and their Ugandan counterparts, ADF-NALU. It is not the first time that the issue of FDLR and other militia outfits is discussed and steps taken to deal with them definitely, but somehow, recommendations are not followed to the letter. Despite numerous assurances by Monusco and its predecessor, Monuc, to firmly deal with the destabilising forces, the latter have continued operations with impunity. So, with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) showing determination to succeed where the UN has failed for nearly two decades, maybe this is the beginning of the end of marauding militias and DRC’s suffering. Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos, the current ICGLR chairperson, seemed to hit the nail on the head when he called on countries to cease offering safe havens to destabilising forces. Many people have their eyes trained on the ICGLR, hoping that it will not take Monusco’s route of “endorsing previous recommendations’ but not taking the bull by the horns. The issue of instability in DRC will only end if all stakeholders show the willingness to roll up their sleeves and get the job done, this time.
