All eyes were on Omar al-Bashir. However, something less dramatic but equally important took place at the recent African Union meeting in South Africa. On the sidelines were discussions on the progress on implementing the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework (PSCF) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with many observing that the progress has been rather slow and that much still needs to be done to ensure that actions are able to follow agreed commitments. The PSCF is a UN-brokered accord aimed at stabilizing the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region. It was signed in February 2013 by Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania and encompasses commitments at the national, regional and international levels to bring peace and stability to the eastern DRC and the region. It has been 15 years since this has been agreed upon. As a result, the gathering in South Africa thinks that progress has been rather ‘slow.’ Why? That is what we hope to find out on June 25 and 26 at an international gathering in Kigali, at Serena Hotel, of policymakers, non-government organizations, civil society, and educators, among other actors. The conference is being organized by the Centre for Conflict Management (CCM) of the University of Rwanda. Participants will reflect together on what appears like indifference when it comes to implementing agreed principles that make up agreed regional frameworks for peace and security, a reflection on matters that have serious implications for human life. Some of these include the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region (PSSD), signed in 2006, the “Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Region” that was signed in 2013 with broad commitments – from the, UN, AU SADC, and the ICGLR – for implementation. Moreover, there has been a plethora of actors with titles that suggest a degree of commitment to the challenge: United Nations, United States, European Union and African Union “Special Envoys.” Despite such interventions, there remains the largest and most costly ever UN mission in DRC. Its mutation from MONUC to MONUSCO did little to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground, leading to the creation of a 3,000 force Intervention Brigade made up of mostly Tanzanians and South Africans. The Brigade was able to neutralize the M-23; however, its efforts against the FDLR have been negligible at best as the genocidal force appears to sustain its commitment to the spread of anti-Tutsi genocidal ideology in the region. Then there are the non-state armed groups in eastern DRC with the ability to challenge the authority of the Congolese government, let alone other organized criminal gangs that continue to plunder natural resources for the benefit of a number of rebel movements and terror networks. Taken together, these failures to act highlight the need for greater understanding of the political, economic and social factors that affect security and stability, as well as the tragic human costs involved in such conflicts. The renewed threat of insurgency and terrorism, in Kenya, and Central Africa Republic all profoundly indicate why now is important. Accordingly, the international conference that is taking place this week is geared towards forcing a diversity of actors to assess what has worked thus far and what has either failed or has lacked the requisite commitment. And, most importantly, try to answer the “why” question. The magnitude of the challenge and the consequences of inaction have serious consequences and the indifference presents a scar on humanity. For us at CCM we hope that this platform for reflection will become a catalyst for the various actors to play their role in the quest for peace and security in our region. The writer is a lecturer and researcher in peace and conflict, Center for Conflict Management, College of Arts and Social Sciences, at the University of Rwanda. auukarekezi@gmail.com
