Are we moving towards a long-lasting peace in Congo? Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a peace agreement on June, Friday 27th in Washington DC. The text includes dispositions about “respect of the territorial integrity and end of hostilities”. Beyond economic stakes very well known by the United States, who pushed for the agreement, what will be the consequences for local populations undermined by the conflict?
The agreement was signed in the American capital city in the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Congolese and Rwandan representatives Thérèse Kayikwamba and Olivier Nduhungirehe. After decades of war in a region that suffered thousands of casualties, everyone just hopes that the words in this agreement will be followed by concrete actions.
According to the UN and the United States, M23 is supported by Rwanda. The military force took hold of several regions in Eastern Congo including the towns of Goma and Bukavu.
The place is particularly watched out because of the natural resources that grow there. As a matter of fact, DR Congo is the first cobalt producer in the whole world. What do we need cobalt for? Electronics.
American president Donald Trump was very satisfied with this agreement, and we can easily understand why. The one who once talked about African countries like “shithole countries” is not unsensitive to the economic potential of Congo.
This being said, the most important thing remains the local populations. Peace is vital in Eastern Congo. After years and years of war, about three decades, it is high time to build a stable peace in this part of the world, which is unfortunately not the only region on the globe that would need a deserved truce. Disarmament will be the key. Needless to say that the M23/Rwanda issue must be clarified.
Guillaume Mahot