The Democrat i c Republic of Congo has long been a theatre of conflict, with the resurgence of M23 hostilities in 2022 serving as a stark reminder of fragile peace in the region.
In his 2022 book, The Dilemma That Is Congo, Lieutenant Co l o n e l Thokozani Chazema argues that weak institutions fuel the DRC’s instability and recommends a holistic institutionalisation of the national instruments of power to achieve lasting peace and security.
As the conflict rages on, it is becoming increasingly clear that military action alone cannot resolve the Congo crisis. Instead, dialogue and a genuine willingness by all warring parties to end the conflict must be prioritised.
Military interventions in the DRC have repeatedly failed to deliver sustainable peace. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (Monusco), one of the largest, complex and most expensive peacekeeping missions in history, has struggled to neutralise armed groups like M23.
While military action can temporarily suppress violence, does little to address the root causes of the conflict: weak governance, ethnic tensions, economic inequality and the exploitation of natural resources.
The recent actions of M23 in North and South Kivu underscores this reality.
Despite previous military campaigns that dismantled the group in 2013, M23 re-emerged, capitalising on the unresolved grievances and institutional weaknesses.
This pattern is not unique to the DRC. In Afghanistan and Iraq, military solutions without complementary political and institutional reforms have failed to achieve lasting stability.
As Chazema recommends, strong institutions are the backbone of any stable State, providing the framework for good governance, justice, and economic development.
However, institutional reform cannot succeed without dialogue.
Other African conflicts offer valuable lessons. In South Africa, the fall of apartheid was achieved not through military victory, but dialogue and negotiation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was pivotal in addressing historical injustices and fostering national healing.
Similarly, Liberia’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2003, after years of civil war, was the result of sustained dialogue and international mediation.
These examples demonstrate that dialogue, though often slow and fraught with challenges, can create a foundation for lasting peace.
peace to DRC
In the DRC, dialogue must involve all stakeholders, including the government, armed groups, civil society and regional actors.
The Inter-Congolese Dialogue of 2002 , which necess i tated a transitional government, offers a precedent. While imperfect, it showed that inclusive dialogue can yield tangible results. Today, a similar approach is needed to address the grievances of groups like M23 and to build a consensus on the future of the DRC.
The DRC’s neighbours and the international community have a crucial role to play in facilitating dialogue and supporting institutional reform.
Regional bodies like the African Union, the Southern Af r i c an Development Communi t y and Eas t African Community must prioritise diplomacy over military intervention.
The recent deployment of regional forces to combat M23 is a necessary short-term measure, but it must be accompanied with a robust diplomatic effort to address the root causes of the conflict.
According to Wilson Khembo’s book, Surviving Anarchy, regional integration remains one of the tools to achieve peace and stability in DRC.
International partners shou ld a l so suppor t capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the DRC’s institutions. This includes investing in governance, rule of law, and economic development programmes t h a t empowe r l o c a l communities and reduce the appeal of armed groups.
The resurgence of M23 host i lities is a painf ul reminder that military action alone cannot bring peace to the DRC. True to Chazema’s insights, the DRC must prioritise dialogue and institutional reform to achieve lasting peace, drawing lessons from other conflicts where dialogue has succeeded.
The path to peace will not be easy, but it is crucial to break the cycle of violence that has plagued the DRC for decades.
As Chazema rightly argues, the holistic institutionalisation of the national instruments of power is not just an ideal—it is a necessity. The time for action is now.
