In the news in recent weeks, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been at the heart of many debates relating to security and regional cooperation. The country has notably experienced a tug of war with the regional force of the East African Community (EAC), which should not however lead to a withdrawal of the DRC from this sub-regional organization.
Despite differences over the mission of the EAC force deployed in eastern DRC to “impose” peace, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi considers his country’s membership in this organization to be a well-considered decision . Indeed, the DRC has joined the EAC in good faith to facilitate cross-border trade and allow the Congolese to benefit from the advantages of the free movement of goods and people within the space.
Initially, Felix Tshisekedi had exposed eight economic advantages which justified the adhesion of the DRC to the EAC. These included the integration of the eastern, northern and southern regions of the DRC into the common telecommunications space, a reduction in customs tariffs for goods received at the ports of Mombasa and Dar es -Salaam or even the addition of a market of 90 million consumers.
However, despite these economic advantages, the EAC force deployed in the DRC did not meet the expectations of the Congolese government in the fight against local and foreign armed groups as well as terrorists in the east. The regional force only recognized a peacekeeping mandate, while Kinshasa gave an offensive mandate. A disagreement which precipitated the deployment of the military force of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the east of the DRC to replace the force of the EAC.
While Kinshasa and the regional force of the EAC were cold, the Congolese Head of State nevertheless gave a second chance to this organization. While the EAC force has not met the expectations of the Congolese government, Félix Tshisekedi has nevertheless demonstrated his willingness to maintain the economic benefits of DRC membership in the EAC. However, this decision has political, economic and security implications for the DRC and the East African region as a whole.
In sum, recent events in the DRC show that it is influenced by complex economic, political and security issues related to its position within the African region of Southern Africa and East Africa. The decisions taken by the Congolese government will have consequences for the future of the country and the region.