No stranger to conflict, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and President Joseph Kabila are facing opposition from a rebel group known as the "M23 Rebels". Named after a peace treaty the group says the government violated, rebels mostly comprised of the Tutsi minority have violently perpetuated conflict in the DRC since April 2012. On the brink of declaring the situation a humanitarian crisis due to a lack of substantial food or medical resources, the UN has urged leaders to communicate and ultimately broker a legitimate peace agreement. Due to the frequency we typically discuss the DRC and its ultimate encompassing of generally stereotypical sub Saharan African problems, this topic seemed to correlate nicely to topics typically covered in class. Beyond the violence being experienced in the DRC, most notably in the east, the inevitable problem of refugee's and the recruitment of child rebels peaked my interest.
Most recently, four African leaders representing the nations of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and the DRC have met with hopes deliberations will lead to a brokered cease fire in the region. Although nothing has come of these meetings as of late, "the four presidents issued a statement calling on the M23 to 'stop all war activities and withdraw from Goma' and 'stop talk of overthrowing an elected government'. Mr Kabila was also urged to listen to the rebels' grievances." Beyond purporting means of violence in the DRC, most notably the eastern city of Goma, the M23's agenda has vocally supported absolution of the current government succeeded by a more suitable governing body. Led by Sultani Makenga, the M23 are fighting for President Kabila to "evaluate the legitimate grievances of M23". Also at the heart of said conflict is the abundance of minerals located in the eastern region of the DRC. As mentioned in class, the prescience of resources within the rationale of rebel grievances can significantly prolong conflict where fighting has become prevalent. My fears lie within this facet of the present conflict occurring in the DRC. For rebels, although the absolution of self serving government and legitimate grievances are substantive reasons for taking up arms- I fear the exposure to wealth as a result of natural resources could mislead the current course of the rebel movement and ultimately become one big privatized larceny.
Beyond political effects and violence between armies, the displacement of citizens in violent regions has become a problem. As seen in an array of conflicted regions in Africa, refugee camps and the separation of families are a sad reality. Per the International Criminal Court, a former head of the M23 was previously indicted for the recruitment of child soldiers. With the practice of recruiting child soldiers being all to common, "the United Nations' children's fund Unicef says hundreds of children have been separated from their parents. It warns that many of them risk being recruited by armed groups." This coupled with an all too common resource curse could ultimately morph the current conflict in a full blown war if not quickly stunted by those with power. Ultimately, although the international community is important, it's up to President Kabila to respond appropriately with the people of the DRC and the grievances of the M23 in mind.
It appears if the M23 rebels are truly concerned with addressing "legitimate grievances" with President Kabila and the DRC government, it would be in their best interest to take part in peace talks while not conceding their current military power. With an army of approximately 1,000-6,000 rebels, the M23 won't be able to withstand a drawn out conflict as seen in the DRC from 1997-2003. In the best interest of conceding to international demands without giving up power, if the M23 rationally makes attempts at peace following an interim ceasefire, President Kabila will have no choice but to bend to their demands. The question is, even if Mr. Kabila conceded to the rebels demands, would he honor said demands?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20476677
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