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Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:53:06
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New Peace Accord for the DRC. Is this a big deal?

In Ethiopia, 11 countries signed a "Peace Framework Agreement" intended to marshall regional support for conflict resolution in restive eastern Congo. Mark Goldberg of UN Dispatch interviews Prof Laura Seay, Assistant Professor of poli sci at Morehouse College on the prospects of this newest push.

  1. undispatch
    undispatch@undispatch
    @texasinafrica has agreed to a brief twitter interview by @MarkLGoldberg about the new #DRC peace accord, signed in Ethiopia yesterday.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 07:48:33
  2. MarkLGoldberg
    MarkLGoldberg@MarkLGoldberg
    @texasinafrica DRC peace accord signed yesterday. Will there be dancing in the streets of Goma?
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 07:49:19
  3. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg Doubtful. The agreement doesn't change the fact that Gona is still in direct danger of capture by M23 rebels (1/2),
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 07:50:07
  4. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg nor does it address the underlying causes of conflict in eastern DRC like land & citizenship disputes.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 07:51:16
  5. MarkLGoldberg
    MarkLGoldberg@MarkLGoldberg
    @texasinafrica but it does address one driver of conflict: the problematic role of neighboring countries. So, step forward? #DRC
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 07:53:02
  6. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg Depends on whether those countries are willing to live up to the commitment to not interfere in DRC or support armed groups
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 07:57:49
  7. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg There's little reason to believe that Rwanda will actually stop funding M23 or stay out. History suggests otherwise.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 07:58:41
  8. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg Important to remember that Rwanda wants suspended aid restored. Participation in peace process a tacit requirement for that.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:01:57
  9. MarkLGoldberg
    MarkLGoldberg@MarkLGoldberg
    @texasinafrica by "some signatories" you mostly mean, Rwanda + Uganda. Right? The former is now a member of UNSC, so appearances are imp.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:02:49
  10. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg Exactly. It's all about appearances on every side, including DRC's. DRC commitments in agreement are unrealistic, too.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:05:05
  11. MarkLGoldberg
    MarkLGoldberg@MarkLGoldberg
    .@texasinafrica What do u make of South Africa's role--particularly their offer to send troops? Seems rather significant expansion for SA
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:05:53
  12. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg Well, South Africa already has a significant role in MONUSCO. But this is an expansion. Whether they will be viewed as...
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:07:42
  13. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg ...neutral is an important question in my mind.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:07:58
  14. MarkLGoldberg
    MarkLGoldberg@MarkLGoldberg
    .@texasinafrica SA seems to be the big new variable. If SA plays its cards well, might it be able to push players in right direction? #DRC
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:14:18
  15. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg SA can do a lot to protect civilians. But they can't solve DRC government's capacity problems. Eg, judiciary, SSR.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:17:02
  16. Note: SSR = "Security Sector Reform." That includes things like training the army and police to respect human rights. 
  17. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg Potential for better civilian protection by far the best part of this deal. MONUSCO intervention brigade = positive step.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:19:39
  18. MarkLGoldberg
    MarkLGoldberg@MarkLGoldberg
    .@texasinafrica Last Q: are there any near-term tangible actions that would show signatories are actually adhering to accord promises?
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:22:24
  19. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg Rwanda could hand over Laurent Nkunda for ICC prosecution. Would be a major signal of withdrawing support for M23.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:23:57
  20. texasinafrica
    Laura Seay@texasinafrica
    .@MarkLGoldberg DRC could also authorize MONUSCO to arrest ICC-wanted alleged war criminals in its territory. Need to signal real change.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:25:13
  21. MarkLGoldberg
    MarkLGoldberg@MarkLGoldberg
    Big thank you to .@texasinafrica I am going to storify this convo for posterity on .@UNDispatch. Coming soon.
    Mon, Feb 25 2013 08:25:57

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MarkLGoldberg

@UNDispatch editor, @PSIHealthyLives editor. Co-founder: Development and Aid World News Service. http://DAWNSDigest.com Contact : http://markleongoldberg.com

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