The security situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become a matter of concern that requires a rapid and effective solution. Indeed, the M23 rebel movement that has been raging for years in this region must be treated with great attention, which has led to the establishment of a disarmament and demobilization process to guarantee the stability and security of the region.
Rumangabo, a town north of the city of Goma, was designated to serve as a pre-cantonment site for M23 elements. The FARDC, the UN blue helmets and the regional facilitation have promised to ensure the success of this process.
Angolan President Joao Lourenço also expressed his support for the demobilization of the M23 and promised to send a military contingent to provide security to the cantonment area once conditions are met. The African Union (AU) representative in the DRC, Michelle Ndiaye, also expressed her support for the disarmament and demobilization process and offered AU assistance to ensure its success.
The Minister of State in charge of Regional Integration, Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi, has also put in place a Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS) to accelerate the process of reintegrating demobilized soldiers into society. He also presented reintegration projects for the benefit of demobilized soldiers in collaboration with South African consortia.
The DRC also plans to guide the artisanal exploitation of armed groups towards traceability likely to ensure the success of their social reintegration. To do this, Minister Mbusa Nyamwisi accompanied President Félix Tshisekedi on his visit to the diamond industry in the town of Jwaneng in Botswana and studied the Botswana model in diamonds to apply it in the DRC.
Beyond the security aspect, the DRC is also aware of the importance of economic integration to guarantee the stability of the region. This is why the establishment of special economic zones has been proposed to encourage investment and job creation, and thus reduce the vulnerability of populations to the influence of armed groups.
In short, the DRC is engaged in a process of stabilization and development of the eastern region, with clearly defined security and economic measures. The establishment of a process of disarmament, demobilization and social reintegration of M23 elements, the traceability of artisanal minerals to avoid their financing and economic development should contribute to the stability of the region.