Opinion / Columnist
Hostility between the DRC and Rwanda
05 Aug 2013 at 20:33hrs | Views
The conflict between Rwanda and the DR Congo has become too complex, too complicated and ever- escalating to be resolved by member states and international community. Shifting blames on basis of ethnic affiliation has become the driving force fueling the escalation of the conflict.
Rwanda on the other hand has exhausted political and diplomatic solutions in attempt to solve the problem. As result of the conflict, Rwanda in 2012 suffered aid embargo from donor countries; who imposed immediate withdraw of Rwanda's involvement in the Congo's conflict accusing the government of Rwanda of aiding M23, a rebel group fighting in the Eastern DRC.
Background:
In the aftermath of the 1994 Rwanda's genocide against Tutsi, Hutu militia fled to Zaire a time which president Mobutu's government failed to conform to The Hague Peace Treaty of October 18th 1899, which required neutral country to disarm and contain every foreign militia. On the contrary Mobutu integrated Hutu combatant in his ill national army; giving Hutu militias a chance to recoup and prepare reprisal in Rwanda.
As early as late 1994 Hutu fighters had organized small raids in the western Rwanda killing thousands of civilians. Zaire was an immediate and imminent threat to Rwanda's security.
Therefore on August 30th 1996 the government of Rwanda officially attacked Zaire to destroy refugee camps, which were used for recruitment and training sites of Hutu fighters. The war to topple Mobutu who had been in power for over thirty years ended on May 17th 1997, when Mobutu the lion of Zaire, fled Kinshasa leaving the country in the hands of a new rebellion led by Joseph Kabila. Zaire became the now Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a name that continues to bleed on news pages around the world.
Post Mobutu era
Ever since Rwanda went to war with the Congo, every misery that befell Congo even at the time of Belgian King Leopold II has become Rwanda's fault. Today the rebellions and militia groups that exist in Congo since 1960 all gear anger towards Rwanda.
The government of Kabila grew increasingly hostile against Rwanda, a country that put him in power. I remember seeing images on Congo's national television, of Rwandans thrown in river over the bridge followed by bullets. I am still hounded by a scenes of people trapped inside the rings of car tires set on fire, and the festivity of dragging Rwandans behind moving cars.
The hate against Rwanda is a cancerous infection in the Congo's political and social mindset. Despite the efforts of Rwanda answering to allegation of support to M23, the Congolese government has sought more help from international community whose reckless decisions have hurt Rwanda's interest of pursuing venues of peace attainment.
What is at stake?
What is at stake is the fact that the international community is forging peace in the Congo by creating problems in Rwanda. What is at stake that I cannot stress enough, Rwanda's national interests, the national security, the economic growth and stability that are being stabbed in the back by a neighbor who has given up his country to foreigners.
Way Forward is Fostering Hostility
In order to reach peace in the DRC-Rwanda and regional stability, I propose the following scenario:
1. A six-month window during which time Congolese who live in Rwanda including refugees have the choice to leave with their belongings, and return to Congo. The same applies to Rwandan nationals who live in the DRC who want to return home with their belongings. Should Congolese living in Rwanda who choose to remain and apply for citizenship, it will be granted.
2. Close borders and end all political, economic and social bilateral relations with the Congo and recall all the Rwandan diplomatic missions to the Congo. As expected, the Congolese ambassador to Rwanda would and all ongoing projects pack and go home. At this point whoever would still be in the Congo would stay as Congolese at own risk.
3. Rwanda would protect its borders with constant military patrol. No Rwandan would be allowed to cross over to the Congo, no Congolese would be allowed to set foot onto Rwanda's territory. Should a bullet or rocket land on Rwanda's side, the retaliation would come in size of their choosing.
4. Rwanda should not be involved in any treaty regarding Congo's matter nor should it hold bilateral presidential talks on Congo's internal conflict.
This scenario would justify the problem of citizenship in the Congo and denied rights M23 has demanded. Whether the rebels choose to fight the government or settle for negotiations or integration in the FARDC, Congo's national army it would be Congolese affair.
Fostering hostility would have its own advantages and consequences. Some would agree that the mass influx of population coming into Rwanda could cause land pressure, concerns over the resettlement process and food security for additional thousands people.
A big chunk of Rwanda's national budget would be allocated to strengthening military capability in preparation for the worse. What this scenario would create is a path to self-reliance. Already Congo is a member is SADC and Rwanda a member of the East African Community (EAC). Along this, I see a coalition of other counties on either side, which would make total sense in times of great uncertainty.
Could this happen?
Is has happened before in 2006 when Rwanda broke off diplomatic ties with France. Politically speaking, some would argue there is room for political and diplomatic deliberations. Let's face it. There have been treaties and peace talks involving Rwanda and the DRC, the region and the United Nations.
The Lusaka agreement of July 1999 after which the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) established MONUC, which was later renamed on July 1st 2010 the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic Democratic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
There are other treaties such the March 23rd 2009 signed between the DRC and the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), a date that became the acronym M23 and recently the 2013 ongoing Kampala Peace talk under the International Conference of Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
Strikingly, the UNSC passed a resolution 2098 on March 28th 2013 authorizing an International Intervention Brigade in the Congo. All these talks and treaties are diplomatic, political, regional and global since they involve the United Nations. Unfortunately all the resolutions and mandates have not been effective rather making the matter worse.
As far as Rwanda is concerned, I think it would worth trying some elements of the scenario, of course bearing in mind the consequences that would come along with it. That said, however big or small the waves would roll back, nothing would mean more to Rwanda than focusing on what really matters. This would also give an assurance to the DRC of Rwanda having nothing to do with whatever happens inside Congo.
Endgame
Congo and Rwanda have a lot more in common. They share the longest border in the region and depend on each other's trade. The economic gains between Rwanda and Congo are far greater, than half of other countries that border Rwanda combined. Both countries benefit a great deal from each other's all season crops, banking and small cross-border trade that have increased over the years. Both Rwanda and Congo would greatly advance from peaceful cooperation ONLY if there is a will to speak frankly.
Louis Gakumba
Contact: louisgak@gmail.com
Rwanda on the other hand has exhausted political and diplomatic solutions in attempt to solve the problem. As result of the conflict, Rwanda in 2012 suffered aid embargo from donor countries; who imposed immediate withdraw of Rwanda's involvement in the Congo's conflict accusing the government of Rwanda of aiding M23, a rebel group fighting in the Eastern DRC.
Background:
In the aftermath of the 1994 Rwanda's genocide against Tutsi, Hutu militia fled to Zaire a time which president Mobutu's government failed to conform to The Hague Peace Treaty of October 18th 1899, which required neutral country to disarm and contain every foreign militia. On the contrary Mobutu integrated Hutu combatant in his ill national army; giving Hutu militias a chance to recoup and prepare reprisal in Rwanda.
As early as late 1994 Hutu fighters had organized small raids in the western Rwanda killing thousands of civilians. Zaire was an immediate and imminent threat to Rwanda's security.
Therefore on August 30th 1996 the government of Rwanda officially attacked Zaire to destroy refugee camps, which were used for recruitment and training sites of Hutu fighters. The war to topple Mobutu who had been in power for over thirty years ended on May 17th 1997, when Mobutu the lion of Zaire, fled Kinshasa leaving the country in the hands of a new rebellion led by Joseph Kabila. Zaire became the now Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a name that continues to bleed on news pages around the world.
Post Mobutu era
Ever since Rwanda went to war with the Congo, every misery that befell Congo even at the time of Belgian King Leopold II has become Rwanda's fault. Today the rebellions and militia groups that exist in Congo since 1960 all gear anger towards Rwanda.
The government of Kabila grew increasingly hostile against Rwanda, a country that put him in power. I remember seeing images on Congo's national television, of Rwandans thrown in river over the bridge followed by bullets. I am still hounded by a scenes of people trapped inside the rings of car tires set on fire, and the festivity of dragging Rwandans behind moving cars.
The hate against Rwanda is a cancerous infection in the Congo's political and social mindset. Despite the efforts of Rwanda answering to allegation of support to M23, the Congolese government has sought more help from international community whose reckless decisions have hurt Rwanda's interest of pursuing venues of peace attainment.
What is at stake?
What is at stake is the fact that the international community is forging peace in the Congo by creating problems in Rwanda. What is at stake that I cannot stress enough, Rwanda's national interests, the national security, the economic growth and stability that are being stabbed in the back by a neighbor who has given up his country to foreigners.
Way Forward is Fostering Hostility
In order to reach peace in the DRC-Rwanda and regional stability, I propose the following scenario:
1. A six-month window during which time Congolese who live in Rwanda including refugees have the choice to leave with their belongings, and return to Congo. The same applies to Rwandan nationals who live in the DRC who want to return home with their belongings. Should Congolese living in Rwanda who choose to remain and apply for citizenship, it will be granted.
2. Close borders and end all political, economic and social bilateral relations with the Congo and recall all the Rwandan diplomatic missions to the Congo. As expected, the Congolese ambassador to Rwanda would and all ongoing projects pack and go home. At this point whoever would still be in the Congo would stay as Congolese at own risk.
3. Rwanda would protect its borders with constant military patrol. No Rwandan would be allowed to cross over to the Congo, no Congolese would be allowed to set foot onto Rwanda's territory. Should a bullet or rocket land on Rwanda's side, the retaliation would come in size of their choosing.
4. Rwanda should not be involved in any treaty regarding Congo's matter nor should it hold bilateral presidential talks on Congo's internal conflict.
This scenario would justify the problem of citizenship in the Congo and denied rights M23 has demanded. Whether the rebels choose to fight the government or settle for negotiations or integration in the FARDC, Congo's national army it would be Congolese affair.
Fostering hostility would have its own advantages and consequences. Some would agree that the mass influx of population coming into Rwanda could cause land pressure, concerns over the resettlement process and food security for additional thousands people.
A big chunk of Rwanda's national budget would be allocated to strengthening military capability in preparation for the worse. What this scenario would create is a path to self-reliance. Already Congo is a member is SADC and Rwanda a member of the East African Community (EAC). Along this, I see a coalition of other counties on either side, which would make total sense in times of great uncertainty.
Could this happen?
Is has happened before in 2006 when Rwanda broke off diplomatic ties with France. Politically speaking, some would argue there is room for political and diplomatic deliberations. Let's face it. There have been treaties and peace talks involving Rwanda and the DRC, the region and the United Nations.
The Lusaka agreement of July 1999 after which the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) established MONUC, which was later renamed on July 1st 2010 the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic Democratic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
There are other treaties such the March 23rd 2009 signed between the DRC and the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), a date that became the acronym M23 and recently the 2013 ongoing Kampala Peace talk under the International Conference of Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
Strikingly, the UNSC passed a resolution 2098 on March 28th 2013 authorizing an International Intervention Brigade in the Congo. All these talks and treaties are diplomatic, political, regional and global since they involve the United Nations. Unfortunately all the resolutions and mandates have not been effective rather making the matter worse.
As far as Rwanda is concerned, I think it would worth trying some elements of the scenario, of course bearing in mind the consequences that would come along with it. That said, however big or small the waves would roll back, nothing would mean more to Rwanda than focusing on what really matters. This would also give an assurance to the DRC of Rwanda having nothing to do with whatever happens inside Congo.
Endgame
Congo and Rwanda have a lot more in common. They share the longest border in the region and depend on each other's trade. The economic gains between Rwanda and Congo are far greater, than half of other countries that border Rwanda combined. Both countries benefit a great deal from each other's all season crops, banking and small cross-border trade that have increased over the years. Both Rwanda and Congo would greatly advance from peaceful cooperation ONLY if there is a will to speak frankly.
Louis Gakumba
Contact: louisgak@gmail.com
Source - Louis Gakumba
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