02.12.10 Eastern Congo Initiative (Seattle): ECI Releases First Major White Paper, Calling on Strengthened U.S. Leadership

This includes comprehensive diplomatic, budgetary and policy
measures, for the United States government to take a leadership role in
restoring peace, security and the rule of law in the Democratic Republic
of Congo.

This is the first white paper put forth by the ECI, which was
launched by actor, director and advocate Ben Affleck, along with
partners Howard G. Buffett, Humanity United, the Bridgeway Foundation,
among others, in April of this year with the mission of helping the
Congolese people support local, community-based approaches that create a
sustainable and successful society in the long-troubled region.

More than 14 billion USD has been spent on aid in the Congo by the
international community from 2007 to 2010. While this aid is
significant,
this paper aims to address the current cycle of
instability and re-focus our short-term stabilization efforts to lay the
groundwork for long-term
recovery, governance reform and economic
development. Similarly, it recognizes the Congo's vast economic
potential, which could, with proper policy implementation, allow it to
decrease reliance on international aid in the near future.

While efforts for stabilization have been somewhat successful in many
parts of Congo, the eastern region of the country continues to suffer
from the misery of war, crime and insecurity. The toll on the population
is devastating: over 1 million people are internally displaced, while
another 200,000 continue to seek refuge as refugees in neighboring
countries.

Foreign as well as Congolese armed groups continue to control large
swathes of territory, and are responsible for committing terrible
atrocities
against the civilian population. In 2009, the UN recorded 17,500 rapes
in the region, while in 2010; over 7,500 cases have been
reported in the Kivus alone.

Strengthening Congolese rule of law and stabilizing civil society
requires strong leadership and a more holistic approach from the United
States
– one that looks beyond the immediate symptoms of recent atrocities in
eastern Congo to the structural causes of the instability, says
Affleck.