Nairobi/Brussels, 24 January 2003: Serious fighting between rebel groups, external forces and
local warlords in the Kivus in Eastern Congo is
threatening peace plans for the Democratic Republic of Congo. A new report,
published today by the International Crisis Group (ICG), examines what has been
happening in this remote part of the DRC, and the dangerous implications of the
international community’s neglect.
The Kivus: The Forgotten Crucible of the Congo Conflict contains important new
information based on extensive research on the ground by ICG analysts.
In December 2002, a power sharing agreement was signed
between Congolese parties that is supposed to lead to the finalisation of the
Inter-Congolese Dialogue and the formation of a transitional government.
However ICG documents how violence has continued in the Kivus, jeopardising the
positive results achieved so far. Plans by the UN observer mission (MONUC) to
deploy a reinforced contingent of 3,000 will not be enough to make a
difference. MONUC’s mandate is inadequate for border control and disarming
rebel groups and should be updated and strengthened by the UN Security Council.
ICG Africa Program Co-Director Fabienne Hara said:
"Unless a peace process is crafted specially for the East
and made central to the government’s transition program and international
efforts, the peace accords will remain words on paper. This area has been the
crucible of all the major conflicts in Congo
since the end of colonial rule, and current strategies will not provide
credible solutions to the nationality, ethnicity and land crises that fuel
local violence".
The relationship between the DRC and Rwanda
is crucial to securing peace. In July 2002, Rwanda
and the DRC agreed that Rwanda
would withdraw its army from the DRC and the Kabila government would disarm the
Rwanda Hutu fighters on its soil. Rwanda
has pulled its troops out, but is still actively sponsoring autonomy movements
and sympathetic rebel groups in the Kivus. Kinshasa
has officially stopped supplying Hutu groups, but seems unwilling or unable to
prevent them from regrouping and reorganising. All parties continue to exploit
the region’s resources ruthlessly.
ICG Central Africa Project Director Francois Grignon said:
"Resolving the
conflict in the Kivus needs to be a priority for the international community
and the transitional government. The population in Eastern Congo
is suffering enormously. A multi-track approach that addresses regional
security and governance and provides strong mediation is vital. Without such
progress, the Congo
peace process risks rapid collapse – or worse, will remain irrelevant to those
who need it most".
MEDIA CONTACTS
Katy Cronin (London) +44.20.86.82.93.51
email: [email protected]
Francesca Lawe-Davies (Brussels) +32-(0)2-536.00.65
Jennifer Leonard (Washington) +1-202-785 1601
Read the full ICG report on our website:
www.crisisweb.org
