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RAPAPORT... The United Nations (UN) reported that efforts to attain peace and stability in the diamond-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have again reached a crucial juncture as senior officials called upon all parties in the region to fulfill their commitments to achieve lasting peace. “It is the concrete implementation of national commitment in the DRC and commitments at the regional level that would lead to sustainable peace in the region, and this cannot wait any longer,” said Mary Robinson, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, in a briefing to the UN Security Council. Robinson confirmed that the fragile but positive atmosphere that did prevail in December in the aftermath of the defeat of the M23 had “vanished” and that the region is going through a period of renewed turbulence. Now, deadly attacks have been observed in the eastern DRC by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, the ongoing crisis in Central African Republic (CAR) and the eruption of fighting in South Sudan. Amid this fragility, Robinson said that the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region – signed by 11 nations in February 2013 – remains “the best chance” to achieve sustainable peace, security, cooperation and development in the Great Lakes Region. “However, it is essential that the pace of its implementation be increased in order to maximize its impact,” she said. At the national level, she told the Security Council that efforts to reform the DRC's security sector should be significantly increased and accelerated, which would be essential for expanding state authority, particularly in east. Another priority is the swift implementation of an effective program to disarm and reintegrate former M23 combatants. On a regional level, signatory countries must begin implementing their commitments, including working toward further economic integration and concrete confidence-building steps, such as ensuring that no one is harboring individuals who were responsible for grave human rights violations or assisting armed groups, Robinson stated. “However, what is most important for meaningful progress is the immediate implementation of all commitments at the national and regional levels in order to bring about concrete peace dividends and lasting life improvements to the people in the region,” she said. Martin Kobler, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for DRC, told the council that the framework was a major milestone, along with the creation of the intervention brigade within the UN peacekeeping force, known as MONUSCO. “With the Force Intervention Brigade and our unmanned aerial vehicles, all armed groups are aware now that we have the will and the means to take robust action at any time,” he said. “In the coming weeks, we will finalize the review of our military deployment across eastern DRC. We will then have a more flexible force. We need it to be more agile, ready to deploy when it is needed and where civilians are threatened, to take on the threat.” But Kobler also noted that peace in eastern DRC can only be achieved if the root causes are addressed.
“Restitution of State authority alone is not enough. Only regional cooperation and good governance will provide the peace dividend the population is expecting,” he said. Therefore, Kobler cited the need for legalizing and regulating the current exploitation and trade of conflict minerals in order to substantially increase state revenue. “Thus, Congo’s natural wealth will help finance the economic and social challenges of the country. Obviously, this has to be done in partnership with the government of the DRC and neighboring States, the private sector and with the assistance of the international community,” Kobler said.
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