### The Democratic Republic of Congo: a fragile balance between sovereignty and regional diplomacy
While the geopolitical landscape of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to deteriorate, the international community is starting to mobilize in a more significant way. The recent observation, stated by the French -speaking ambassadors in the DRC on the occasion of the International Day of La Francophonie, should not only be seen as a declaration of solidarity, but also as an urgent appeal for reflection on the complex dynamics which govern the region of the Great Lakes.
### Sovereignty undermined
The current context is particularly worrying, with supported movement offensives (M23) supported, according to various sources, by Rwandan forces. This situation has led to catastrophic humanitarian consequences – the number of internal displaced people has crossed the millions’ mark, while human rights violations, including sexual violence and recruitment of soldiers, constitute alarming realities. As a comparison, according to the Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA), the number of displaced in DRC exceeded 5 million, making this country the second in the world with the greatest number of internal displaced.
### A crucial diplomatic reaction
The declaration of ambassadors not only highlights the pressing need for a cessation of hostilities, but also the imperative of a coordinated regional response. The agenda focuses on the implementation of decisions from the summits of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Eastern African Community (EAC), as well as resolution 2773 of the UN Security Council. This international support highlights the importance of a unified approach to treat the growing complexities of the conflict.
### Comparison with other conflicts
It is interesting to compare the current situation in the DRC to other similar regional crises. Take the example of the war in Syria: while the foreign powers were also involved, the international community had trouble establishing a coherent response to the rapid degradation of the situation. The lesson learned seems to be that inaction or fragmented responses can lead to massive human losses and to an increasing distance from the peace objectives.
Likewise, the crisis in Yemen illustrates how regional geopolitical interests can be superimposed on questions of national sovereignty, thus explaining the difficulty of a sustainable resolution. From a similar perspective, the presumed support of Rwanda to the forces of the M23 must be confronted with a dialogue model which not only takes into account security issues, but also the historical and socio-political legitimities which underlie the conflict.
### A systemic solution
Calls to set up a ceasefire between the DRC and Rwanda should not be considered as temporary band-aids, but as a re-examination of the fundamentals of bilateral relations. Regional diplomacy must be concentrated not only on the de -escalation of hostilities, but also on sustainable development and the prevention of future conflicts. Innovative proposals, such as the creation of a mixed security commission bringing together actors from civil society, could offer a framework aimed at approaching the real roots of the problem, going beyond a simple designation of “aggressors” or “victims”.
###
It is essential that international and regional actors take stock of the emergency of the situation in the DRC, to avoid falling back into the destructive cycle that has been observed in other conflicts. Humanitarian support should only be one of the facets of engagement, struck by the need for inclusive diplomatic solutions.
Serious negotiations are necessary to establish a sustainable framework that can not only end the current conflicts, but also establish a climate of trust between the nations concerned. This is where the real challenge lies: transforming the declaration of solidarity into concrete actions in the field, while promoting regional integration which is both respectful of local and pragmatic dynamics vis-à-vis global geopolitical issues.
In short, the DRC should not only be perceived as a conflict ground, but as a space of potential, where respect for territorial integrity and the promotion of inclusive development can go hand in hand. Such a way, although sown with pitfalls, is fundamental within the reach of a pacified future for both the DRC and for the Great Lakes region.