DRC must tackle governance issues

DRC is entangled in violence involving the army, Raia Mutomboki, FDLR, Nyatura, Mai Mai, Pareco, the Mai Mai Kifwawa, Nakabaka group, FRC, the M23 mutineers, etc. This is not a coincidence; it is the political environment that promotes it. The state can pretend to be strong when it has a vision of society that aspires to citizens’ needs (political programme), a disciplined and organised army, motivated, to have independent and permanent sources of funding.The Congolese army does not meet all these prerogatives and it is the reason why it is losing ground to any armed group.The Congolese problem is not limited to the Kivus. The only difference is that these provinces resorted to using weapons to confront their challenges. If the international community was not hypocritical, it could help the Congolese government to find lasting solutions to their problems, instead of blaming others.The Congo woes are down to the Congo itself. Blame the mentality of some of its own citizens first and then to those who handle them, no one else.DRC should be ashamed of itself and realise that no one else will take care of its own responsibilities, and find solutions for its problems. There must be a deliberate effort for constructive, self-criticism to find lasting solutions from within.I also wish to urge the Congolese leaders to preserve their country’s and own dignity because no one else will do it for them.Shyaka GakubaLecturer and researcher at INILAK

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DRC must tackle governance issues