Eastern DRC chaos: Minding the danger of single narrative- Part 2

The additional twist that the March 23 Movement (M23), a Congolese Tutsi group, is being used by the Rwandan authorities to destabilise the region and scoop the resources, is the icing on the cake for the international players, who see a veritable distraction mode to launch deep into the Congolese mines. This is the tragedy of that single story, which has lingered for too long. No wonder, no answer or solution has been in sight. Nothing has worked to resolve the crisis.

This brings us to the very first factor- the presence of many active armed groups in the eastern Congo. They all have one mission- dig deep, scoop big. Most of these armed groups are in fact looting bands, mere bandits, or simply criminal gangs. There are more than 120, and foreign companies and individuals, governments, and even peacekeeping groups own many of these armed groups. In the end, Congo is at the receiving end and is worse off.

The unending crisis in eastern DRC has created one of the world’s largest and humongous humanitarian crises. But the world seems to enjoy it, as it gives them, as always, a good reason or justification for always coming back to continue from where they stopped. It also offers them a fantastic opportunity to remain permanently in the resource-rich region. It is always assuring to be closer to the kitchen than wait in the dining room and get whatever comes. They have those puppets, inept, lazy, and nonplussed or clueless political leaders who will always acquiesce with the foreign powers in order to secure their seat of power.

That narrative peddled around that Rwanda or Uganda is the cause of the almighty Congo’s problems is becoming inane, fatuous, and outlandish. The narrative is becoming explosive day by day and increases the tension between two neighbors that have everything in common. This dangerous narrative, bolstered by Western conspiracy may lead to a catastrophic third African war. This must stop!

The fact is, Rwanda has suffered more in all of this. It lost more than 1,000,000 souls during a genocide by a Congo-backed Hutu Power movement. Cong-backed FDLR’s persistent terrorist attacks from the end of the genocide cost the country unquantifiable human, material, and financial losses. Many of the victims of the Goma crisis are actually Rwandan elements, many of whom were remnants of the 1994 refugees.

Rwanda has suffered a huge image or reputation crisis because of the label as being the actor in the devastations and killings in eastern Congo. Being associated with M23 because the elements are Tutsi causes more image problems for Rwanda. That there are ethnic Tutsi and Hutu in Burundi does not make them Rwandans. The same argument should go for DRC- that there are ethnic Tutsi or Banyamulenge in Congo does not make them Rwandans. They are Congolese. Congo should deal with its errant nationals and tackle its internal problems. If it needs Rwanda’s help, it should come down from its high horse and admit it.

Rwanda’s apprehension and concern would become more understandable when placed side by side with President Trump’s approach in dealing with Mexico. His fear about Mexico’s and the southern borders vulnerabilities whenever he thinks of American security are legitimate. He has to bust the strongholds of foreign drug gangsters from neighboring states to keep America safe. He has to find the criminals himself if Mexico cannot find them. That is how international security works if gleaned within the boundaries of national (security) interests.

Let us not forget that the first principle of the national interest of any state is self-survival, and then self-preservation. Realist exponent, Hans Morgenthau, like other rational choice theorists, would argue for states to keep their two eyes open even when asleep because you cannot trust the next neighbor so much as to be careless with your national power or sovereignty. What then is wrong if Rwanda secures its borders and goes after FDLR and those who still seek the country’s downfall when its neighbor, Congo, as big as it appears, cannot tame its own domestic terror? Only irresponsible leaders will consider instability nearby as nothing to worry about.

Congo should stop blaming everyone but itself for its own plethora of travails. The government should take responsibility and admit that it has failed as a state and needs help, especially from immediate neighbors. The Western and Eastern powers must admit their complicity and culpability, evoke their human conscience, and let Congo have peace.

They should stop the gaslighting of the people of that African sub-region and do business in eastern Congo the legitimate way. The people have suffered enough. Peace must return to that country and between it and Rwanda, as the people deserve to live and enjoy their God-given wealth.
Concluded.
Professor Folarin is an international relations scholar and political scientist, who teaches at Texas State University and several African universities.