The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported Rwanda to Ghana, accusing its neighboring country of funding the insurgency against it. According to the DRC, fact-finding reports have indicted Rwanda for its role in the political instability.
The President of the DRC, Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, made the report to President Akufo-Addo on Thursday, October 20, 2022 when he visited Jubilee House, as part of his official visit to Ghana, which ends today.
Addressing President Akufo-Addo and his officials, as well as some ministers, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the DRC President wants Ghana to take the matter to the United Nations. He wants the United Nations to sanction Rwanda for the said accusation.
The DRC is embarking on this move because Ghana represents the continent on the Security Council of the United Nations.
Another concern was the embargo placed on the DRC, preventing it from importing arms and ammunition. The country wants Ghana to put in a word at the UN Security Council for the embargo to be lifted.
Felix-Antoine is worried the DRC will not be able to fight the insurgence without ammunition, which is the reason why the country wants the ban lifted.
WELCOME
President Akufo-Addo’s remarks preceded those of his counterpart, in which he recalled the longstanding relations between the two countries.
President Akufo-Addo spoke of the security issues confronting the continent and opined that they create an opportunity for the two countries to work together to rid the continent of the menace.
At the meeting, whose opening included the Presidential Press Corps, Ghana’s President did not respond to the accusation or the demand.
It is, however, unknown what further transpired as the meeting moved into conclave, after the opening remarks and then ended with the signing of the visitor’s book, before he departed Jubilee House.
The DRC President had earlier inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Navy. The national anthems of both countries were played, accompanied by gun salutes.
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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), about the size of Western Europe, is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). DRC is endowed with exceptional natural resources, including minerals such as cobalt and copper, hydropower potential, significant arable land, immense biodiversity, and the world’s second-largest rainforest.
Most people in DRC have not benefited from this wealth. A long history of conflict, political upheaval and instability, and authoritarian rule have led to a grave, ongoing humanitarian crisis. In addition, there has been forced displacement of populations. These features have not changed significantly since the end of the Congo Wars in 2003.
DRC is among the five poorest nations in the world. In 2021, nearly 64 % of Congolese, just under 60 million people, lived on less than $2.15 a day. About one out of six people living in extreme poverty in SSA lives in DRC.
Political Context
In 62 years of independence, DRC did not experience its first peaceful transition of power until January 2019. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, son of Etienne Tshisekedi, the country’s longstanding opposition leader, won the December 2018 presidential election and succeeded Joseph Kabila, who had led the country for 18 years.
There are indications that a new social contract may be emerging between the state and its citizens, through the roll-out of free primary education, increased transparency and public sector reforms, and an emphasis on conflict prevention and stabilization in the East.
However, despite conflict prevention and stabilization efforts, pockets of insecurity still persist in the country, particularly in the eastern region. The country is preparing for the next general election which is slated for late 2023.
The smooth running of the election could allow the country to continue on the path of political stability and to pursue the necessary reforms to enable most of its people to benefit from the enormous potential that the country abounds.
