“I dispel this rumour, especially as it has never been confirmed by the authorities, ourselves or the Security Council. We are currently in a consultation phase, and the humanitarian situation remains very worrying. We have met with members of the civil society, who have all asked us to stay in Ituri in particular,” Mr Lacroix said in Kinshasa.
Congolese authorities recently asked Monusco to reconsider its withdrawal plan, even as the mission had already begun its disengagement, particularly in South Kivu, where it withdrew completely and handed over to the Congolese army.
By all accounts, the disparities in this Congo crisis are as predictable as they are expected, proving why the DRC remains one of the most conflict-ridden nations in the world and probably change may never be seen anytime soon (God forbid).
Despite its vast natural resources, the country has grappled with instability and violence for decades with many pointing to various external and internal reasons as the causes of this enduring conflict. At the onset, there is a complex web of interests that prevent lasting peace.
From Western exploitation of DRC’s mineral wealth to internal governance failures and Rwanda’s ongoing security concerns, this piece unravels the reasons why Congo remains a battlefield. It also explores what Rwanda can do to protect itself from the continuous threats emanating from its neighbor.
Western exploitation: The silent force behind DRC’s instability
One of the most significant yet often overlooked drivers of this enduring chaos is the involvement of Western powers. Congo’s natural resources, including cobalt, gold, and Colton, are indispensable to global industries. This mineral wealth has drawn the attention of foreign powers, who have historically prioritized profit over peace.
Belgian based Congolese artist, Thsiani Baloji once criticized post-colonial governance in his song Le Jour d’Après, calling it an extension of Western dependence rather than true independence. In his 2011 release, he pointed out how the errors of youth and political choices continue to bind the DRC to neo-colonialism, resource plundering, and debt.
This historical narrative still stands if you go by some observations and accounts by different historians and activists.
“Western nations and multinational corporations have long sought control over Congo’s mineral wealth, often by funding and arming rebel groups to destabilize the region and keep the government weak,” noted Dr. Samuel Mbikayi, a political analyst and medical practitioner based in South Africa.
According to him, by keeping DRC in a perpetual state of conflict, these powers can exploit its resources at minimal costs, without dealing with a strong state that would demand fairer trade deals.
Experts argue that Western countries have little incentive to promote stability in Congo because a peaceful, prosperous Congo would threaten their economic interests.
“Congo’s wealth is more valuable to foreign powers in chaos than in peace. The instability allows them to extract resources at low costs, with no accountability for the human or environmental toll,” explains Lisa Nyambura, a Nairobi based global relations expert and advocate in women’s leadership and youth empowerment.
This reality underscores the disturbing fact that the more unstable DRC remains, the more some foreign actors stand to gain. It is a system built on the exploitation of chaos, with devastating consequences for the Congolese people.
A fragile state: The failures of the Congolese government
While external interference is a critical factor, DRC’s internal problems are equally responsible for its endless conflict. The Congolese government has been plagued by corruption, inefficiency, and an inability to assert control over its vast territory and this has led to a weak state that cannot provide basic services or security to its citizens.
Analysts say that instead of serving the Congolese people, much of the political elite in Kinshasa have prioritized personal enrichment over national progress. Corruption has eroded the foundations of governance, leaving regions like eastern Congo in the hands of militias and rebel groups.
The government’s failure to secure its borders and territories has had severe consequences, not just for DRC but for neighboring countries as well. Rebel groups operating freely in the country’s jungles have turned the eastern regions into a lawless zone, with civilians caught in the crossfire. This failure has also provided a staging ground for hostile forces targeting Rwanda, perpetuating regional instability.
For nearly 30 years, rebel groups targeting the Rwandan government have found refuge in eastern DRC. The most notorious of these is the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), formed by remnants of the Interahamwe militia responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. These groups have consistently used the existing instability to launch cross-border attacks on Rwanda.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta in June 2021 during a press briefing on regional security said that The continued presence of armed groups, including FDLR and others, in eastern DRC, poses a serious threat not only to the region but also to Rwanda’s security.
“We have continuously called for a comprehensive solution to this problem,” he said.
Beyond rebel groups, some foreign powers opposed to Rwanda’s influence in the region have used DRC as a proxy battleground. Regional security experts say that certain foreign actors have funded and supported rebel groups to counter Rwanda’s growing economic and political influence thus deepening the complexity of the conflict.
What Rwanda must do: A blueprint for security
Given the ongoing instability in Congo and the persistent threats from rebel groups, Rwanda must take a multi-pronged approach to ensure its security. While military readiness remains crucial, Rwanda must also intensify diplomatic efforts and regional cooperation.
President Paul Kagame during the National Dialogue in 2013 addressed the nation during a period when Rwanda was facing increased threats from the FDLR rebel group.
“Rwanda will not sit idly by as its security is threatened. The issue of armed groups, particularly the FDLR, remains a problem in the DRC, and it is something we will address to ensure our citizens’ safety,” he said.
Diplomatic engagement is a key tool for Rwanda in addressing the Congo crisis. By participating in regional peace initiatives and building stronger alliances with neighbors like Uganda, Tanzania, and the African Union, Rwanda can push for collective security solutions.
Additionally, Rwanda must work with the international community to hold the Congolese government accountable for allowing rebel groups to operate within its borders. Compelling DRC to take responsibility for its internal security and governance failures will be a critical step in reducing the threat posed by these groups.
In general, this continued instability is a product of both external exploitation and internal governance failures. Western powers have long benefited from DRC’s chaos, using the conflict to gain access to the country’s rich mineral resources.
Meanwhile, the Congolese government’s inability to provide basic security has allowed rebel groups to flourish, with Rwanda bearing the brunt of cross-border attacks.
For Rwanda, securing its borders requires a combination of military preparedness, diplomatic pressure, and regional cooperation.
By working to address both the internal and external factors driving Congo’s instability, Rwanda can help prevent future bloodshed and ensure long-term peace for itself and the region.
In the meantime, we are neighbors, and our security is intertwined. DRC must find peace for the entire region to prosper.
