Congo conflict could unravel solution to recurring violence

On March 28, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2098 authorising the deployment of an “intervention brigade to neutralise and disarm the M23 rebels as well as other Congolese rebels and foreign armed groups in strife-riven eastern DRC.” The intervention brigade will be deployed in Kivu by the end of April, proof of how diligent the sponsors of this resolution have been.The M23 rebels have rejected the UN’s decision to deploy a combat force to Kivu saying that the UN has chosen war instead of promoting dialogue to end the conflict in eastern DRC. M23 rebels captured Goma last November with little resistance from UN peacekeepers and later withdrew. This now appears to have been a ploy by MONUSCO, the UN Mission for Stabilisation of Congo, to justify calls for a mandate to use lethal force against those who are committed to the defence of their people and the improvement of their lives. As Bertrand Bisimwa, the M23 political leader, said, “from now on peacekeeping forces will wage war on groups of citizens demanding good governance.” Recurring violence in the DRC has been caused by a lack of good governance, inadequate public and private institutions, and poverty.“Instead of encouraging the M23 and the DRC government to resolve the conflict through talks brokered by the Ugandan government, the UN has chosen to wage war against a partner for peace.” The DRC government, on the other hand, is overjoyed by the UN’s decision to deploy the combat force. This force, backed by drones, will be deployed to eliminate M23 rebels and secure the border with Rwanda and Uganda who the DRC government and its foreign partners have accused of backing M23 and causing havoc in eastern DRC. Contrary to international opinion, Rwanda and Uganda have been at the forefront in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC. Their defence forces have conducted successful joint operations with the Congolese army to neutralise and disarm the so-called Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), internationally recognised terrorist organisations.However, when these operations begin to really threaten the ability of these terrorist organisations to murder, pillage, and rape with impunity, they are sabotaged and suspended. This gives the terrorists the time and space to regroup and sustain their ability to cause havoc. This shows a determination by the beneficiaries of a war economy based on mineral exploitation to perpetuate the conflict. The eastern DRC is rich in precious minerals such as gold, copper, and coltan, 80% of the world’s coltan, essential in the manufacture of technological products, is found in the DRC. The perpetrators of the conflict in eastern DRC, behind the scenes actors, are a sophisticated and cunning group of operators, masters of crisis creation. They have ensured that there is no end to the recurring cycles of violence in eastern DRC despite the repeated efforts of concerned parties to seek a sustainable peace.Foreign corporate interests are not interested in sustainable peace and security in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes of Africa region because people of the region would be the primary beneficiaries of the peace and security dividends. These corporate interests are interested only in the maximisation of their profits and dividends for their shareholders This can only be assured by corrupt regimes and mercenary forces.Revolutionary leaders who are committed to the well-being of their people will always be regarded as enemies by foreign corporate interests. They are invited to Western capitals and institutions and lauded as paragons of committed leadership and good governance while, privately, plans for their elimination are implemented. The foreign wolves in sheep’s clothing pledge funds, to combat sexual violence against women, to corrupt regimes that are responsible for fostering insecurity, looting, and the rape of women. It is like giving money to someone who has intentionally infected you with a terminal disease and asking them to use that money to cure you!It makes no sense to dismantle a winning team and replace it with a losing one, MONUSCO reinforced with an intervention brigade plus drones. Unless, of course, the objective is to create chaos and the mass displacement of the population of eastern DRC. This would facilitate the occupation of their land by mercenaries serving foreign corporate interests and the corrupt regime in Kinshasa, This team of losers only wins when there is chaos, looting, mass murder, and rape. They are sore losers when there is peace, harmony and progress among the people, this team of losers should not be allowed to win.

Opinions

Congo conflict could unravel solution to recurring violence