Title: The state of siege in the DRC: assessment and prospects
Introduction :
For two years, a state of siege has been declared in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This measure was intended to put an end to the activity of armed groups in the region. However, despite the power entrusted to the Armed Forces of the Republic, the armed groups remain active and the violence persists. As the elections approach, the question arises: should the state of siege be maintained or lifted? In this article, we will assess the limits of this measure and propose possible solutions.
A necessary qualitative assessment:
Passy Mubalama, a pro-democracy activist based in Goma, believes that it is essential to carry out a qualitative assessment of the state of siege. According to her, this measure has failed to restore peace and security in the region. On the contrary, massacres, human rights violations and the seizure of territories have intensified. Rutshuru, for example, remains under the control of the M23 rebels. People pay the price for these atrocities, finding themselves displaced in camps. It is therefore obvious that the state of siege has not achieved its objectives and that a lasting solution must be found.
Lift the state of siege before the elections:
The question of whether the state of siege should be lifted before or after the elections is crucial. Passy Mubalama stresses that for the populations of the East, security is a major concern. Maintaining the state of siege could lead to the exclusion of the provinces concerned during the elections. It is therefore essential to reassure the population by lifting this measure before the elections. This would show that the authorities are committed to guaranteeing the holding of elections in all entities of the DRC.
Propose sustainable alternatives:
Faced with the limits of the state of siege, it is necessary to find lasting alternatives to ensure peace and security in eastern DRC. Development actions, the promotion of democracy and good governance, as well as the protection of human rights must be at the heart of the measures put in place. Passy Mubalama, as a women’s rights activist, highlights the importance of education, women’s empowerment and the fight against gender-based violence. These actions would help to pacify the region and create conditions conducive to economic and social development.
Conclusion :
Two years after the establishment of the state of siege in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, it is clear that this measure has not achieved its objectives of putting an end to the violence and restoring peace in the region. It is time to assess this measure qualitatively and find sustainable alternatives to ensure the safety of the populations of eastern DRC.. Lifting the state of siege before the elections is essential to build confidence and ensure the participation of all provinces in the electoral process. It is time to implement development actions, promote democracy, and protect human rights, especially those of women. This is how peace can be lastingly established in eastern DRC.