The solution is in plain sight for DR Congo

Since attaining independence in 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has had more name changes than a chameleon or a rainbow, has been the hotbed of revolts and dissension.

The multiple name changes are arguably a reflection of the country’s complex character and political history. The instability in the DRC can be attributed to an array of factors, the topmost being the country’s treasure chest of natural resources, which sounds like a wonderful thing until you discover that everyone wants a piece of the pie.

This has led to a lot of jostling for power and influence and the emergence of various factions, all trying to get their hands on the DRC’s goodies. The power vacuums coupled with a great deal of foreign meddling have often led to the further proliferation of rebel groups with their own agendas, each contributing a fair share of mayhem to a deeply scarred and tense nation whose history of civil conflict and insecurity spans decades.

The consequence of this has been weak governance punctuated by coup d’etats. After gaining self-rule from Belgium, the DRC almost immediately plunged into crisis with the assassination of the country’s first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba, in 1961.

The messy event in which several foreign actors, including the United States, Belgium, and the United Nations, were implicated, was a major setback for the young democracy. The gruesome elimination of Lumumba, who was a symbol of progress and hope, knocked the country off the rails, effectively setting a terrible precedent of political fragility.

The DRC’s second deposition was carried out in 1965 by Lumumba’s former chief military aide and infamous dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko, who not only ousted President Joseph Kasa-Vubu but also renamed the country Zaire.

The extravagant and self-indulgent Mobutu, whose iron-fisted rule lasted over three decades and was characterised by political repression, gross economic mismanagement, and abject poverty, was eventually overthrown following a rebellion by rebel leader Laurent-Desire Kabila during the First Congo War in 1997.

Apart from the country recovering its original name, the termination of Mobutu brought little change. Kabila’s rule was like a rollercoaster ride through a minefield. His government was equally unstable. Ethnic tensions and uncertainty prevailed, and, ultimately, the Second Congo War began almost as soon as he assumed office.

Moreover, the promise of prosperity became nothing more than hot air. The economy disintegrated as the DRC plundered its vast mineral resources. Laurent Kabila’s reign ended abruptly following his assassination. His son, Joseph Kabila, replaced him in 2001.

In the country’s first-ever peaceful political transition since 1960, President Felix Tshisekedi became the DRC’s fifth leader in 2019, taking over from Joseph Kabila, who stepped down after serving two terms.

With the country’s troubled past in context, it’s not surprising that there have been a couple of attempts to topple Tshisekedi’s government as well. The foiled coup d’etat of May 2024 is a testament to the naughty habit of history repeating itself. Whereas the coup leader, Christian Malanga, was neutralised, the incident still raised several questions about security and political stability in the DRC.

Undoubtedly, the DRC’s history of civil wars is like a never-ending family feud, except with more guns and less pie. It’s the perfect storm of resource greed, weak governance, and a splash of foreign intrusion. It’s a complex situation that can’t be solved with the simple wave
of a magic wand, but perhaps with something a little more mystical.

In a country where uncertainty is a constant companion, the DRC could benefit significantly from the mystical gift that a man like Prophet Elvis Mbonye carries. His unique perspective on the recent May 19th attempted coup has sparked much curiosity and discussion in the region’s political circles. In a message he delivered in early January 2024, Mbonye shared insights on what he said would be “a hit,” specifically targeting President Tshisekedi.

The prophet’s remarkable ability to peek into the future could very well be the game-changer for a country that has, for decades, been embroiled in internal strife and unresolved ownership of vast mineral wealth.

As for Tshisekedi, who presumably aspires to take proactive measures to mitigate potential threats and launch the DRC onto a path of lasting peace and socio-economic development, the solution might be in plain sight!

em@emmyem.com