EDITORIAL: Forget Monusco, call in EASF

Germany’s Ambassador to Rwanda Peter Fahrenholtz recently made pertinent observations on the current stalemate in disarming the FDLR militia operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): It was up to Africans themselves to take the lead in solving African security problems. He couldn’t have said it any better. Depending on foreign intervention has been the bane of many African governments and it is high time they turned the page. Regional countries have taken up that challenge and all they need is the word GO! In November, last year, the East African Standby Force (EASF) announced that it was ready to deploy at short notice to deal with any security challenges in the region. The countries that make up EASF have set up a formidable 5,000- strong well equipped force for that reason. Where Monusco, the UN peacekeeping force in the Congo, has failed (neutralising armed groups in DR Congo), the regional force could step in. EASF member countries should lobby the UN Security Council to do the job because it is quite obvious that Monusco are not capable or willing to do so. Lame excuses have run their course; it is now time to take firm action. The Boko Haram saga in Nigeria should serve as a lesson for not nipping insecurity in the bud; it will spill over to neighbouring countries. Chad, Niger and Cameroon are in better position to understand the consequences of doing nothing until insecurity is knocking at your door.

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EDITORIAL: Forget Monusco, call in EASF