** Towards sustainable diplomacy in Africa Great Lakes: the need for constructive dialogue **
The persistent crisis in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) again attracted the attention of international actors, illustrating the complexity of a conflict that goes far beyond simple military issues. Jonathan Borgstam, the special representative of the European Union in the Great Lakes region, recently pronounced words that resonate with disturbing clarity: the solution to this crisis does not reside in armed force, but in a concerted political approach. A statement issued during his trip to the region, where he met key political figures such as Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, not only reveals a diplomatic position in the EU, but also an essential reality of the field.
### Diplomacy: a long -term remedy
The idea that dialogue is the only viable path to appease tensions is a notion which, although often debated, still struggles to make its way in mentalities. Conflicts in Africa, and more particularly in the big lakes, are often exacerbated by divergent political and economic interests. As such, Johan Borgstam’s action calls for a redefinition of relations between nations, where the well-being of populations and the stabilization of priority regions would take precedence over military ambitions.
### The role of Rwanda in the conflict
One of the cornerstone stones of recent climbing in this region is the alleged support of Rwanda to the rebels of the M23, an armed secessionist group which revealed the fragility of political and social boundaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is in this context that the exhortations of Borgstam, aimed at encouraging Rwanda to withdraw its support from the M23, take on paramount importance. Historically, Rwanda has evolved in a geopolitical framework where alliances are often ambiguous, and where human rights violations and repercussions on regional security are gaining alarming. In this sense, the call to military disengagement is less a simple recommendation than a imperative necessity for peace.
### International comparisons: Conflict resolution models
To better understand the current dynamics, a retrospective on other conflicts in Africa could be instructive. Take apartheid in South Africa, the resolution of which was not the result of violence, but of a long negotiation process. The dialogues between Nelson Mandela and the apartheid government were crucial to transform a nation on the verge of civil war into an example of reconciliation, although the challenges are still. This approach invites us to consider a future where the interactions between the DRC and Rwanda allow you to build bridges rather than walls, the fruit of listening and mutual respect.
## demographic and economic issues
Another aspect often put aside in conflict analyzes is the demographic and economic dimension of the regions concerned. The eastern DRC is rich in natural resources, which inevitably attracts an economic interest that complicates things. According to the 2022 annual report of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the region remains one of the poorest and most densely populated in the world, contrasting with its essential mineral resources such as cobalt, copper, and gold. This wealth must therefore be considered not only as an asset, but also as a potential catalyst for conflict, since the struggles for the control of resources exacerbate existing tensions.
### The road to the future: what solutions?
It is clear that the path to a lasting resolution of crises in the big lakes is strewn with pitfalls. However, by gaining momentum on the international scene, leaders must embrace a vision focused on integral socio-economic development, coupled with an imperative of dialogue. The two presidents, Kagame and Tshisekedi, have a unique opportunity to transform the challenges into stability and prosperity levers. Investing in economic partnerships, promoting education and facilitating community dialogues can, in the long term, offer positive results.
### Conclusion
Johan Borgstam’s declaration sounds as an invitation not only to appease tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, but also to reflect on a model of engagement which advocates dialogue on the conflict. In a time when militarized approaches seem to be the first response to complex crises, in Africa and elsewhere, it is crucial to recall the potential of diplomatic solutions. The way to follow towards sustainable peace must be marked out by sincere and constructive exchanges. In short, the real issue does not reside only in the eradication of the M23, but in the capacity of nations to create a framework of peaceful coexistence, based on respect, common prosperity and security for all.