Africa Action: Activism for Africa Since 1953
Africa Action on Obama's Plan for Congo Peace
Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006, Public Law No. 109-456
In 2006 The DRC Relief, Security and Democracy Promotion Act, S.2125, which addresses various issues of stability, governance, and humanitarian relief in the Congo, was signed into law by President Bush. Africa Action, though supportive of S.2125, is not satisfied with the government’s implementation of this law’s mandates to date. The U.S. should implement and fund the following initiatives of the DRC Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, Pub. Law No. 109-456
Assisting and supporting the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with bringing discipline to its security forces, establishing open and transparent governance, disarming, demobilizing, and repatriating illegally armed groups such as the FDLR, promoting a viable civil society, and enhancing infrastructure (sec.102).
Although State and USAID spending for the fiscal year of 2007 was $181.5 million in Congo, there has been inadequate use of these resources to implement these measures by the U.S. government. The Obama administration has not effectively engaged with the Kabila government to pursue improved governance, create space for civil society to operate or protected journalists, or infrastructure. U.S. policy towards Congo must encompass a stronger approach to achieving these aims.
Urging the UN Security Council to strengthen the authority and capacity of MONUC and allow for the more effective protection and monitoring of natural resources (sec. 201).
As of July 1, 2010 MONUC has undergone a change in mandate so that it is now referred to as MONUSCO. Africa Action continues to support the UN peacekeeping force and the U.S. should continue to use its voice and vote (sec. 201) in the Security Council to improve MONUSCO’s efficacy on the ground, not only for protecting and monitoring natural resources, but more importantly for providing protection for civilians.
Pressing countries in the Congo region to help facilitate an end to the violence, while strengthening the arms embargo (sec. 201).
Nations of the Great Lakes region all have vested interests in the Congo through their resource exploitation and troop presence. The U.S. must apply further pressure on Congo’s neighbors, particularly Uganda and Rwanda, to reform their presence in the DRC from a destabilizing role to a mutually economically beneficial and cooperative role.
Promoting appropriate use of the forests of the DRC (sec.102).
The U.S. should act to support the logging sector reforms initiated by the Congolese government and strengthening community rights regarding the Congo rainforest, the preservation of which is vital to the global fight to lower carbon emissions and prevent further climate change.
Submitting a report on progress toward accomplishing policy objectives (sec.106).
Although the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports were submitted regarding the progress made towards achieving the policy objectives of the law for 2007 and 2008, there has yet to be an assessment made for 2009 or 2010. The U.S. government must remain accountable to the terms of this law. There should be regular reports, including one for 2010, from the GAO so as to check the administration’s progress, or lack thereof, on achieving the objectives of the law.
Appointing a special envoy for the Great Lakes region (sec.107).
The fulfillment of this measure would not only demonstrate a serious approach to the problems facing the Congo by the U.S. government, but also assist diplomatic discourse with the Kabila government and governments in the region. Currently Howard Wholpe serves as a Special Advisor to the great lakes region, but his position must be further empowered and equipped so that it carries the weight of a Special Envoy in diplomacy.
As stated in the 2008 GAO report on the DRC, “State is refurbishing the DRC’s military officer training school and training multiple levels of the military…” Africa Action does not believe military trainings alone will improve security in the Congo, and without effective engagement in other areas military trainings will likely decrease security for civilians in the country. The Obama administration should not rely on a militarized policy for bettering governance and human rights in the DRC. Instead, diplomacy and supporting peace processes will help the implementation of Pub. Law No. 109-456 to protect more civilians and bring actors seeking to profit from the conflict in the Congo to justice.
In 2006 The DRC Relief, Security and Democracy Promotion Act, S.2125, which addresses various issues of stability, governance, and humanitarian relief in the Congo, was signed into law by President Bush. Africa Action, though supportive of S.2125, is not satisfied with the government’s implementation of this law’s mandates to date. The U.S. should implement and fund the following initiatives of the DRC Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, Pub. Law No. 109-456
Assisting and supporting the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with bringing discipline to its security forces, establishing open and transparent governance, disarming, demobilizing, and repatriating illegally armed groups such as the FDLR, promoting a viable civil society, and enhancing infrastructure (sec.102).
Although State and USAID spending for the fiscal year of 2007 was $181.5 million in Congo, there has been inadequate use of these resources to implement these measures by the U.S. government. The Obama administration has not effectively engaged with the Kabila government to pursue improved governance, create space for civil society to operate or protected journalists, or infrastructure. U.S. policy towards Congo must encompass a stronger approach to achieving these aims.
Urging the UN Security Council to strengthen the authority and capacity of MONUC and allow for the more effective protection and monitoring of natural resources (sec. 201).
As of July 1, 2010 MONUC has undergone a change in mandate so that it is now referred to as MONUSCO. Africa Action continues to support the UN peacekeeping force and the U.S. should continue to use its voice and vote (sec. 201) in the Security Council to improve MONUSCO’s efficacy on the ground, not only for protecting and monitoring natural resources, but more importantly for providing protection for civilians.
Pressing countries in the Congo region to help facilitate an end to the violence, while strengthening the arms embargo (sec. 201).
Nations of the Great Lakes region all have vested interests in the Congo through their resource exploitation and troop presence. The U.S. must apply further pressure on Congo’s neighbors, particularly Uganda and Rwanda, to reform their presence in the DRC from a destabilizing role to a mutually economically beneficial and cooperative role.
Promoting appropriate use of the forests of the DRC (sec.102).
The U.S. should act to support the logging sector reforms initiated by the Congolese government and strengthening community rights regarding the Congo rainforest, the preservation of which is vital to the global fight to lower carbon emissions and prevent further climate change.
Submitting a report on progress toward accomplishing policy objectives (sec.106).
Although the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports were submitted regarding the progress made towards achieving the policy objectives of the law for 2007 and 2008, there has yet to be an assessment made for 2009 or 2010. The U.S. government must remain accountable to the terms of this law. There should be regular reports, including one for 2010, from the GAO so as to check the administration’s progress, or lack thereof, on achieving the objectives of the law.
Appointing a special envoy for the Great Lakes region (sec.107).
The fulfillment of this measure would not only demonstrate a serious approach to the problems facing the Congo by the U.S. government, but also assist diplomatic discourse with the Kabila government and governments in the region. Currently Howard Wholpe serves as a Special Advisor to the great lakes region, but his position must be further empowered and equipped so that it carries the weight of a Special Envoy in diplomacy.
As stated in the 2008 GAO report on the DRC, “State is refurbishing the DRC’s military officer training school and training multiple levels of the military…” Africa Action does not believe military trainings alone will improve security in the Congo, and without effective engagement in other areas military trainings will likely decrease security for civilians in the country. The Obama administration should not rely on a militarized policy for bettering governance and human rights in the DRC. Instead, diplomacy and supporting peace processes will help the implementation of Pub. Law No. 109-456 to protect more civilians and bring actors seeking to profit from the conflict in the Congo to justice.
