Evaluating Peace and Stability in the DRC and the US Policy in the Great Lakes

By Bahati Ntama Jacques
Policy Analyst,
Africa Faith &Justice Network
November 2009

The analysis of the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as described in this paper will help you understand better the following: violence in the North and South Kivu, the presence of foreign fighter in eastern RDC namely the Rwandan Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), sexual violence against women, Rwanda interference in the Congolese affaires including proxy war, illegal natural resources from eastern Congo transiting through neighboring nations, reform of the Congolese National Army, Human rights violations, the need for truth and reconciliation commission (restorative Justice) in the DRC and dialogue between Rwandans, the return of Congolese refugees, the inadequacy of the Congolese government and the negative impact of the Unites States policies in the Great Lakes particularly the DRC and Rwanda. Above and beyond the issues detailed in this paper, there are other issues that need equal attention in order to get the DRC back on its feet. We introduced two of these: DRC’s debts in relation to vulture funds and the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) attacks.

It is the expectation of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) that the United States of America under the Obama administration would change previous administrations’ policies in the Great Lakes. Such change must consist in more diplomacy and development, democracy promotion, good governance, accountability, freedom of expression, regional approach to security, help end the illegal export of DRC’s natural resources, promotion of regional economic integration, promotion restorative justice, civil society strengthening, human rights and rule of law instead of militarism and superpower struggle for influence in the region. American interests in the Great Lakes region must be transparent, rooted in mutual respect and based onpartnership.

Read the full paper here.

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