Title: Restoring Security in Eastern DRC: Government Calls for New Regional Forces
Introduction :
The security situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has long been a major concern, with the presence of numerous armed groups which sow violence and instability in the region. Faced with this challenge, the Congolese government led by President Félix Tshisekedi has intensified its efforts to restore peace and restore state authority. Among the initiatives undertaken, the government has called on regional forces to help fight against armed groups and restore security in the region.
The East African Community (EAC) initiative:
As part of its efforts, the Congolese government appealed for help from the East African Community (EAC), a regional organization made up of countries in the region. However, despite the EAC’s initial commitment to support the DRC, the track record of this regional force has been mixed, leading to discontent in Kinshasa. Accusations of collusion between EAC forces and armed groups have also been raised, calling into question the effectiveness of their intervention.
The renewal of confidence in the EAC:
Despite the disappointments encountered, the Congolese government has decided to renew its confidence in the EAC force by extending its mandate until next September. President Tshisekedi stressed that frank discussions have taken place with the EAC to resolve the problems and review the modalities of intervention. The results of this review will be assessed in September, and decisions will be made based on their implementation.
Use of the SADC:
In parallel, the Congolese government has also explored other options to strengthen security in eastern DRC. With this in mind, President Tshisekedi participated in an extraordinary summit of the Troika of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This meeting addressed the issue of the deployment of SADC troops in eastern DRC, in addition to the efforts of the EAC.
The duty of solidarity within SADC:
Unlike the EAC, the Congolese government did not directly request assistance from SADC. However, as a member of this regional organization, the DRC benefits from a duty of solidarity and support towards member countries facing security problems. Thus, SADC has undertaken to provide assistance to the DRC in its efforts to restore security in the east of the country.
Conclusion :
Faced with the worrying security situation in eastern DRC, the Congolese government has intensified its efforts to restore peace and state authority.. While renewing its confidence in the EAC force, discussions have been initiated to improve its effectiveness and ensure closer collaboration in the fight against armed groups. At the same time, the Congolese government is also exploring the option of deploying SADC troops to reinforce security efforts in the region