**The Geopolitics of the Great Lakes: A Quest for Stability through Dialogue and Cooperation**
On 6 February 2025, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, stressed the urgency of a constructive dialogue between the leaders of the DRC and Rwanda in the face of rising tensions in the east of the country. This statement echoes decades of conflict that juggle issues of sovereignty, natural resources, and ethnic dynamics – issues that are not new in the tumultuous history of the Great Lakes region.
Current events must be analyzed in a broader historical context. The Rwandan-backed M23 movement is part of a lineage of conflicts that have, in the past, seen cross-border militias and armed forces intervene in the affairs of neighboring states. The 1990s and the Rwandan genocide left indelible scars, influencing regional dynamics to this day. Economic interests, particularly the exploitation of resources such as gold and coltan found in Congolese soils, exacerbate this fragile situation. According to the UN Report on Illegal Exploitation of Resources, the DRC loses around $24 billion each year due to the illegal activities of armed groups, which underlines the economic stakes at the heart of the conflict.
Costa’s call for “constructive dialogue” is reminiscent of previous initiatives that have sometimes had mixed results. The Nairobi peace summits and the multiple dialogues under the auspices of the African Union have shown that without clear political will and mutual commitment from stakeholders, resolutions often remain a dead letter. The fact that the head of Congolese diplomacy was also questioned by the Belgian Parliament highlights the growing involvement of the international community, but it also raises the question of the legitimacy of external interventions in internal conflicts.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has expressed his willingness to restore peace, stressing the importance of a political resolution that requires accountability from all parties. However, this positive rhetoric must be balanced against the real impacts of Rwandan forces on the ground. Statistics indicate that the number of people displaced by conflict in eastern DRC is currently close to 6 million, a humanitarian crisis that requires immediate and effective responses.
In addition, the role of regional actors such as SADC and the EAC is reminiscent of the complexity of the power play underway in this part of the world. These institutions must navigate between various interests, with some nations having historical or economic affinities with one or the other party in the conflict. This raises the question: to what extent can these organizations play an impartial and effective role in such a polarized environment?
Finally, it is crucial to take into account the perspective of local populations. The stories of Congolese living in these conflict zones are often excluded from political discussions. Those who suffer from war must be given a voice. A genuine dialogue must include these voices, as they hold essential keys to understanding the roots of the conflict and envisaging sustainable solutions.
In sum, for a “long-term sustainable solution” to be achieved, negotiations must be more than a mere formality. They must be accompanied by a genuine commitment to establishing peace, equity and justice, in memory of the victims of past and present conflicts. This is a colossal task that requires a clear vision, sincere cooperation between civil societies, institutional actors, and thoughtful international support. The stability of the Great Lakes depends on this complex dynamic, and the eyes of the world remain fixed on their leaders so that they do not let this opportunity for peace slip away.