What next for eastern DRC?

Despite M23's recent defeat, rebel groups still threaten eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Is long-term planning even an option in such an unstable context? Devex Editor Rolf Rosenkranz sat down with Frances Charles, World Vision's advocacy manager, to find out.

By // 03 June 2014

International peacekeeping has evolved in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with new tools and a new multilateral resolution. But has it made any difference for war-stricken communities?

The military defeat last year of M23, the rebel group that displaced large numbers of people and wrested control of entire cities in eastern DRC, garnered widespread attention, and the United Nations introduced a new approach to humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping for the African nation.

But for many communities in DRC, real change has yet to materialize, Frances Charles, advocacy manager for World Vision, told Devex during her visit to Washington, DC.

In a video conversation with Devex Editor Rolf Rosenkranz, Charles shared her take on what needs to happen for the peacekeeping mission to deliver real security and stability for the DRC’s citizens and communities:

World Vision’s Frances Charles discusses peacekeeping in the DRC.

“The conflict in eastern Congo is such that there are no quick wins,” Charles told Devex.

At the same time, resolving conflict requires more than military intervention. It means providing combatants with opportunities for productive livelihoods, and focusing on the long-term development needs of a region where circumstances waiver unpredictably between conflict and fragile peace, she said:

Frances Charles on DRC’s long-term development.

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About the author

  • Michael Igoe

    Michael Igoe

    Michael Igoe is a Senior Reporter with Devex, based in Washington, D.C. He covers U.S. foreign aid, global health, climate change, and development finance. Prior to joining Devex, Michael researched water management and climate change adaptation in post-Soviet Central Asia, where he also wrote for EurasiaNet. Michael earned his bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College, where he majored in Russian, and his master’s degree from the University of Montana, where he studied international conservation and development.

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