Obama: Kabila Must “Do More” On DRC Security

http://chimpreports.com/index.php/news/11108-obama%3A-kabila-must-%E2%80%9Cdo-more%E2%80%9D-on-drc-security.html

Obama: Kabila Must "Do More" On DRC Security

President Joseph Kabila's failure to build sufficient capacity within the armed forces to extend state authority across DRC is partly to blame for the deadly cycle of violence in the Kivu in recent years, US leader Barrack Obama has said.

By Giles Muhame 7 hours 36 minutes ago

President Joseph Kabila of Rwanda

Addressing journalists in Tanzania on Monday, Obama said Kabila should "do more" considering that the conflict over mineral resources has cost hundreds of lives and pushed thousands of refugees into deplorable conditions in refugee camps in neighbouring countries of Rwanda and Uganda

"President Kabila inside of Congo has to do more and better when it comes to dealing with the DRC's capacity on security issues and delivery of services," said Obama.

"And that's very important, because if there's a continuing vacuum there, then that vacuum sometimes gets filled by actors that don't have the best interests of Congo at heart," he added.

Several regional leaders have in the past accused Kabila of not taking radical steps to clean the eastern DRC of armed elements especially the Rwanda rebel group, FDLR and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

The groups continue to recruit and arm their militants with intentions of attacking Rwanda and Uganda, according to United Nations officials.

President Yoweri Museveni recently attacked MONUSCO, the UN Peacekeeping Mission in DRC, for embarking on a "terrorism conservation project," in reference to the group's laissez faire attitude towards the operations of rebels, which include recruitment and human rights abuses, in Kivu.

Obama said United States is "prepared to work with the United Nations and regional organizations and others to help him (Kabila) build capacity."

He said the people of Congo need a fair chance to live their lives and raise their families.

"And they haven't had that opportunity because of constant conflict and war for way too many years. And of course, the tragedy is compounded by the fact that Congo is so rich in natural resources and potential, but because of this constant conflict and instability, the people of Congo haven't benefitted from that."

REBELS

Obama further appealed to regional leaders to implement their commitments under the Framework for Peace signed in Ethiopia last year which include withdrawing support to armed elements in DRC and "that armed groups need to lay down their arms, and human rights abusers need to be held accountable."

"And so, the fact that you now have a peace framework that the various parties have signed onto is critical. But it can't just be a piece of paper; there has to be follow-through.

And so, one of the things that I discussed with President Kikwete is how we can encourage all the parties concerned to follow through on commitments that they've made in order to bring about a lasting solution inside of Congo," said Obama.

He was responding to a question from a journalist who asked how the U.S, as a powerful nation in the world and a permanent member of the Security Council with a lot of influence to major players of the Congo conflict, was going to assist the DRC and Great Lakes to reach a permanent peace since there has been stability in Congo for almost 20 years now.

"The countries surrounding the Congo, they've got to make commitments to stop funding armed groups that are encroaching on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Congo. And they've signed onto a piece of paper now, now the question is do they follow through," said Obama.

He did not mention any countries but recent UN reports have since accused Rwanda and Uganda of supporting the M23 Movement, a charge both countries deny.

"And so, we're prepared to work with anybody to try to make this happen. Ultimately, though, the countries involved have to recognize it is in their self-interest to do so.

We can't force a solution onto the region. The peoples of the region have to stand up and say that's enough; it's time to move forward in a different way. And, by the way, that means holding those who've committed gross human rights abuses accountable for what they've done," added Obama.

"But there's an opportunity for peace here. And the countries surrounding the Congo should recognize that if the Congo stabilizes, that will improve the prospects for their growth and their prosperity, because right now, it's as if you have a millstone around your neck," said the US president, adding, " If you have one of the biggest countries in terms of geography in all of Africa with all these natural resources, but it's constantly a problem as opposed to being part of the solution, everybody suffers."

He noted Tanzania should be doing more trade with the DRC and Rwanda should be doing more trade and commerce with the DRC.

"One of the things we're talking about it how do we get more inter-Africa trade, because if countries like Tanzania are going to improve their economic position in the globe, the first thing they have to do is to make sure they can trade with each other more effectively."

- See more at: http://chimpreports.com/index.php/news/11108-obama%3A-kabila-must-%E2%80%9Cdo-more%E2%80%9D-on-drc-security.html#sthash.Olqznb0H.dpuf

Comments

Africa Realities Media offre un espace aux écrivains, chercheurs, experts, activistes, voix communautaires, militants, analystes et personnes ayant une expérience vécue qui souhaitent contribuer à des contenus réfléchis, responsables et courageux sur les changements nécessaires dans la région des Grands Lacs, ainsi que sur les réalités politiques, économiques, culturelles et sociales africaines souvent ignorées, minimisées ou mal représentées. Nos articles et vidéos visent à ouvrir le débat, renforcer la sensibilisation, encourager la pensée critique et favoriser une réflexion plus profonde sur les réalités vécues par les populations africaines. Nous voulons aider les peuples de la région des Grands Lacs à mieux comprendre leurs droits, notamment leurs droits humains, leur droit au développement, leur droit à la dignité, à la sécurité, au bien-être et à une vie meilleure. À travers nos contenus, nous cherchons également à rappeler aux décideurs, aux institutions publiques, aux acteurs régionaux et internationaux, ainsi qu’aux responsables politiques, leur devoir de transparence, de responsabilité et de redevabilité envers les populations qu’ils prétendent servir. Notre objectif est de contribuer à une culture de vérité, de justice, de participation citoyenne et de protection égale pour tous les peuples africains.

Why Africa Realities Media Is Different

Africa Realities Media speaks to Africa and to the developed world. Many abuses facing African people are committed by African states and ruling elites, but they are often protected by international silence, lobbying, public relations, trade interests, migration deals and unequal global accountability. While governments pay lobbyists to present a good image abroad, ordinary African people continue to face violence, hunger, disease, poverty, repression and exclusion. We challenge the normalisation of African suffering and demand equal truth, equal justice and equal protection.

Pourquoi Africa Realities Media est différent?

Africa Realities Media s’adresse à l’Afrique et au monde développé. De nombreux abus subis par les peuples africains sont commis par des États africains et des élites dirigeantes, mais ils sont souvent protégés par le silence international, le lobbying, les relations publiques, les intérêts commerciaux, les accords migratoires et une responsabilité mondiale inégale. Tandis que des gouvernements paient des lobbyistes pour présenter une bonne image à l’étranger, des Africains ordinaires continuent de faire face à la violence, à la faim, aux maladies, à la pauvreté, à la répression et à l’exclusion. Nous contestons la normalisation de la souffrance africaine et exigeons une vérité égale, une justice égale et une protection égale.

Exposing Injustice in Africa

Africa Realities Media is an independent African accountability platform based in London. We report, analyse and challenge the systems that shape African suffering, silence African victims and protect abusive power. We are not here to repeat diplomatic language. We are here to ask the questions that are often avoided: why are African deaths treated as normal? Why are African victims given less urgency? Why are governments that imprison, exclude, displace or kill their own people protected when they serve powerful international interests?

Africa Realities Media gives space to writers, researchers, experts, activists, community voices, campaigners, analysts and people with lived experience who want to contribute thoughtful, responsible and courageous content about the changes needed in the region, as well as the political, economic, cultural and social African realities that are often ignored, minimised or misrepresented. Our articles and videos aim to encourage debate, raise awareness, stimulate critical thinking and support reflection. We seek to help people in the Great Lakes Region understand their rights to human rights, development and wellbeing, while also encouraging decision-makers to be more transparent, responsive and accountable.

Appel à contributions

Sensibilisez le public aux causes qui vous tiennent à cœur. Prenez part au changement que vous souhaitez voir émerger. Aidez à combattre l’injustice partout où elle se manifeste.

Africa Realities Media accueille des articles originaux, analyses, tribunes, réflexions communautaires et commentaires fondés sur des faits concernant la région des Grands Lacs africains, ainsi que les questions liées à la justice, aux droits humains, à la gouvernance, aux conflits, à la paix, aux réfugiés, aux ressources naturelles et à la responsabilité publique en Afrique.

Nous accueillons également les annonces concernant de nouvelles ou d’anciennes publications liées à nos domaines d’intérêt. Vous pouvez annoncer gratuitement votre publication, notamment un livre, un rapport, une étude, un article académique ou tout autre travail pertinent.

Les articles doivent être rédigés en anglais ou en français et ne doivent pas dépasser 1 500 mots.

Veuillez inclure le nom complet de l’auteur, qui sera publié avec l’article s’il est accepté.

Avant de soumettre votre article, veuillez d’abord lire nos pages du site web afin de vérifier si votre article correspond à nos priorités éditoriales, à nos thèmes et à nos domaines d’intérêt.

Si vous avez un article, un commentaire ou une annonce de publication à partager avec un public plus large, veuillez l’envoyer par email à :

africarealitiesmedia@gmail.com

Nous étudierons la possibilité de publier gratuitement les articles et annonces de publications appropriés s’ils répondent à nos critères éditoriaux, notamment la pertinence, la clarté, l’originalité, l’intérêt public, le respect des communautés concernées et l’utilisation responsable des informations et des preuves.

Les articles sont publiés tels qu’ils sont soumis s’ils répondent à nos critères et à notre politique éditoriale. Nous ne procédons pas à une modification supplémentaire de votre article avant sa publication.

Africa Realities Media

Search This Blog

Latest Analysis

Category Posts