11 12 12 – 15 NGOs letter to President Obama
We call on you to appoint a Presidential
Envoy to lead a coordinated U.S. response to the crisis, to support the
appointment of a U.N. Envoy to the Great Lakes, to support the imposition of
sanctions against violators of the United Nations arms embargo on DRC, and,
finally, to cut all military assistance and suspend other non-humanitarian aid
to the government of Rwanda for its support of the M23 insurgency.
Silence Regarding Rwanda’s Involvement
Exacerbating the Problem
Over the past 15 years, U.S. efforts to
prioritize quiet diplomacy to address Rwandan involvement in eastern Congo have
failed to deter Rwanda’s continued incursions and use of proxy armed groups in
the east. While Rwanda has legitimate security and economic concerns, these
alone do not justify the repeated violation of DRC sovereignty, the egregious
human rights abuses of their armies and proxy forces, and the countless
violations of the UN arms embargo. Since the M23 was created in the spring of
2012, U.S. officials continued to place faith in engaging Rwanda in a
constructive dialogue. This approach has clearly failed to change Rwanda’s
policy, as evidenced by the direct involvement of the Rwandan army in the recent
takeover of Goma, as documented by the United Nations Group of Experts.
Failure to Build Democratic Institutions
in DRC
At the same time, the government of DRC has
continued to demonstrate an inability to bring security to its eastern regions,
largely a consequence of its failure to undertake necessary security sector and
governance reforms. Any new strategy to bring stability to the region must
ensure tangible progress in building DRC’s democratic institutions and the rule
of law, including in the crucial areas of electoral reform, army reform, and the
trade in natural resources.
ICGLR Process Insufficient for Durable
Peace
We welcome the efforts of the International
Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and the involvement of regional
actors in finding a solution to the crisis. We also recognize, however, that the
ICGLR’s stopgap approach and reliance on military solutions will not bring
sustainable peace to the region. At best, the current dialogue between the
government of DRC and the M23 is likely to result in the reintegration of war
criminals into the Congolese army and the continuation of violence and
instability in the region. Efforts to achieve a durable peace must be led not by
those who continue to perpetuate the conflict but rather by a credible
internationally facilitated process.
Recommendations
We strongly recommend that the United States
urgently take the following four steps:
Appoint a Presidential
Envoy: The Envoy would be a high-level individual
with experience and relationships in the region who would be responsible for
developing a unified policy toward the regional crisis. Your Envoy would
leverage America’s economic, political, and military influence to ensure that
all parties fully cooperate with an international political process, and also
work closely with the proposed UN Envoy.
Call for a UN Envoy to the Great
Lakes: The United States should urge the UN to
appoint a high-level envoy to lead a credible international political process
that addresses the continual cycles of violence and regional interference. This
Envoy would work in conjunction with the African Union and other regional and
sub-regional stakeholders.
Support robust UN
Sanctions: As a responsible supporter of the UN
sanctions regime, the United States should push to impose sanctions on all
individuals identified in the UN Group of Experts final report, including senior
Rwandan government officials, and those individuals and entities supporting
criminal networks through the trade in natural resources.
Suspend and cut off limited U.S.
assistance to Rwanda: The United States should cut
all military assistance and suspend other non-humanitarian aid to the Rwandan
government, while publicly condemning Rwanda’s support for the M23. Such a step
is crucial to encourage all parties to engage constructively in a comprehensive
political process.
Absent serious and sustained action, the DRC
faces a new period of prolonged violence or even collapse and disintegration.
Most importantly, thousands of lives and livelihoods are at stake. In this
moment of crisis, the United States has an opportunity to honor not only its
values for the respect of human rights and international law but also to meet
its interests in the long-term stability of the Great Lakes region.
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Signed : Africa Europe Faith and Justice Africa Faith and Justice Network Atma Foundation The Enough Project Falling Whistles Freedom House Global Centre for the Responsibility to Global Witness |
Humanity United Invisible Children Jewish World Watch Open Society Foundations Refugees International Resolve United to End Genocide |