After six months of intense fighting, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the rebel M23 movement signed a declaration of principles on July 19 in Doha, Qatar. The move builds on the DRC-Rwanda peace deal signed last month in Washington DC and is intended to be followed by the signature of a final peace treaty in August. The agreements are premised on stopping the fighting in exchange for investment. US President Donald Trump has apparently mustered significant pressure for the adoption of these agreements, hoping that they will help to spur Western investment in minerals such as tantalum and lithium which are critical for modern economies through a supply chain routed via Rwanda, simultaneously reducing Chinese influence in the sector.
The fact that negotiations are even occurring represents an important policy shift, as the DRC government had previously refused to negotiate with M23, calling it a “terrorist” organisation and a Rwandan proxy. The African Union welcomed the deal calling it a “major milestone,” and Trump Advisor Massad Boulos has said “we are confident and we are hopeful … [Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame] have both committed to resolving this.”
But many questions remain, including the release of M23 members held by the DRC, reopening of banks in rebel held areas and potential withdrawals of both Rwandan forces and the M23 from eastern Congo. M23’s potential withdrawal sparked dispute just hours after the signing of the agreement, with the DRC government presenting the declaration as inclusive of withdrawal of M23 forces from occupied areas and the M23 stating that it would not move. There are also questions of accountability for previous violations and resolution of disputes over citizenship. Lastly, and perhaps most consequential for the situation are the concerns about whether there is political will for implementation.
In this context, AWA is pulling together a webinar to discuss these developments in particular:
- What are the prospects for the recent agreements?
- What measures are needed to advance implementation?
- What additional measures would be needed to develop sustainable peace in the DRC?
On August 14, 9:00 AM Washington, DC, 2:00 PM Kinshasa, 4:00 PM Kampala
Moderated by Dismas Nkunda, CEO Atrocities Watch Africa.
Speakers include:
- Mvemba Phezo Dizolele is a senior associate with the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Previously, he was a senior fellow and director of the Africa Program. He is also a lecturer in African studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
- Adolphe Chober Agenonga is a senior researcher at Ebuteli, where he monitors and analyzes conflict dynamics in northeastern DRC. Chober is also a research associate at the Groupe de recherche et d’information sur la paix (GRIP).
- Ildefonse Paluku Bwakyanakazi is a researcher at Ebuteli. He is Data Manager of the Kivu Security Tracker (KST), a joint project of Congo Research Group (CRG), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Bridgeway Fondation (BW) and Ebuteli. He has also participated in research on security and peace issues.
Please register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NzyVa5ggTWiaek4ZTOLxdw
