BLOG RENE KOUAME

CONFLICT IN EASTERN CONGO

The February 2013 framework agreement signed by the UN, African organisations and

eleven regional countries, as well as the deployment of an intervention brigade, represent

yet another of many attempts to end the crisis in the Kivus. Conflicts in this region,

however, stem mainly from competition between communities for land and economic

opportunities and require tailored, grassroots solutions that should go beyond a

military response and promote local conflict resolution. Those seeking to secure peace

in the Kivus should gain sound knowledge of local dynamics and design strategies to

tackle the root causes of violence and improve relations between communities.

The imperative of pursuing local responses to the crisis is illustrated by the longstanding

conflict in the Ruzizi plain, located in Uvira territory at the border of South

Kivu and Burundi. In a context of impunity and distrust, the assassination on 25 April

2012 of the Ruzizi plain traditional leader, who belongs to the Barundi community,

sparked renewed violence between it and a rival community, the Bafuliro. Despite

several reconciliation attempts by the central government and the UN Stabilisation

Mission in Congo (MONUSCO), tensions persist in 2013.

The Bafuliro and Barundi have fought over land and traditional leadership in the

Ruzizi plain since colonial times. Tensions remain high because of socio-economic

underdevelopment, the mismanagement of land affairs and poor local governance

due to weaknesses in provincial and central administration. Instead of acting as secondary

figures, traditional chiefs play a leading role in Congo’s politics and administration.

Perceived as influential during elections, they are part of political patronage

networks and have support in national and provincial institutions.

Despite a decade of efforts to rebuild the Congolese state, the government remains

ineffective in rural areas, leaving customary chiefs, whose role is recognised by the

constitution but not fully defined, virtually in charge. They use their key position between

the state and communities to benefit from any state and international investments

and to protect their own interests. This fuels conflict, with intercommunal rivalries

playing out in state institutions and among local and national politicians.

In 2012, aware of the hostility between the Bafuliro and Barundi, MONUSCO and

local, provincial and national authorities attempted to mediate between the two communities.

But although the leaders of both signed in September 2012 a code of conduct,

fighting resumed shortly afterwards. The natural death of the Bafuliro traditional

chief in December 2012 has led to a lull in violence, but the conflict, although,

dormant, could easily flare up again.

The failure of mediation shows that local conflicts need local resolution strategies.

These include controlling customary powers, setting up impartial and effective

institutions to regulate and administer land, reducing armed violence and initiating

intercommunal dialogue. Some of these measures will, admittedly, be more difficult

to implement than others. But without an understanding of local issues, the peace

process initiated by the UN, African Union (AU), Southern African Development

Community (SADC), International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR)

and regional countries risks addressing symptoms rather than causes of conflict in

the Kivus. Stabilisation initiatives in eastern Congo have so far been limited to military

action against armed groups and top-down state building.