## The Monusco and the Crisis of Great Lakes: an emergency for peace and reconstruction
** Geneva, February 7, 2023 – ** La Cheffe de la Monusco, Bintou Keita, sounded the alarm during the 37th special session of the Human Rights Council, by evoking the dramatic deterioration of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the need for immediate action to stabilize the Great Lakes region. This discourse, beyond the usual statements on violence and insecurity, reveals a complex reality where human suffering and the failure of institutions are closely intertwined, asking the crucial question: how to rebuild a lasting peace in such a chaotic environment?
#### ** A multiple dimensions conflict **
Far from being a simple geopolitical confrontation between Congo and Rwanda, the crisis constitutes a palimpsest of historical, economic, social and cultural issues. The resurgence of the M23 armed group, which now controls a significant part of the territory of North Kivu, is not just a military threat, but also a symptomatic of the structural and institutional faults of the DRC.
The populations affected by these conflicts are faced with unprecedented challenges, including cholera epidemics and increased risks of diseases such as MPOX. As such, it is crucial to understand how current disorders are supplied by decades of negligence and corruption within government structures. A study by Human Security Dialogue reveals that, in the past, up to 70 % of violence in this region is linked to the absence of a rule of law and to the fight for control of natural resources.
#### ** Economic and social dynamic in Peril **
The economic effects of the conflict are just as worrying. The interruptions of agricultural and mining activities lead not only a collapse of local economies, but also exacerbate the social inequalities already present. An analysis of the data from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has shown that around 43 % of the inhabitants of the North Kivu province live below the poverty line, a figure that could worsen if no urgent effort n ‘is undertaken.
Far from being a simple obstacle to income, this crisis results in a vicious circle of violence and impunity, where corruption intertwines with the inability of the state to protect its citizens. A survey conducted by Transparency International said that 78 % of Congolese estimate that corruption has a direct impact on their daily safety. In this context, the promise of justice for the victims of violence is thwarted by a failing judicial machine, exacerbating despair and anxiety among the population.
#### ** Urgent diplomacy: a call for action **
The urgent need for field negotiations becomes essential. The Luanda process, which seeks to solve tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, represents a potential avenue to mitigate the conflict. However, it seems that, in the absence of firm international support, the results will remain shy. The role of regional and international actors, including the African Union and the SADC, could be decisive. According to a study by the International Crisis Group, the peace processes include commitments not only of the cessation of hostilities but also of community development have shown a 40 % higher rate of success.
#### ** Conclusion: The way to follow for a lasting reconstruction **
The rise in tensions in the Great Lakes region and the collapse of humanitarian conditions in the DRC require not only a military response, but also a collective mobilization towards enhanced diplomacy and integrated humanitarian assistance. The Bintou Keita Declaration must serve as a catalyst for a deeper reflection on the future of the Congo and the region.
Every day passed without concrete measures while millions of people suffer from war and health crises represents a lost opportunity to break this destructive cycle. Sustainable peace is not content to stop the bullets, it requires an investment in well-being, social justice and community resilience. While Monusco strives, despite its own limits, to bring a semblance of normality, it is crucial to recall that the real change will come from the populations themselves, with the support of an international community which chooses to act Beyond words.
The reconstruction of the DRC and the Great Lakes region will only be possible if the suffering of citizens is transformed into collective action, driven by a political will both local and international. In this quest, each voice counts; It must be heard and understood.