U.S. Congressman Ronny Jackson has called for urgent action to stabilize eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing governance failures, corruption, and regional tensions as major obstacles to peace and development.
Speaking before a congressional committee, Jackson shared his observations from a recent visit to the region, where he met with leaders from the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the Republic of Congo.
His testimony highlighted the security crisis fueled by the M23 rebel group, the exploitation of mineral wealth, and the strained relations between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Jackson described eastern DRC as the “wild, wild east,” a lawless zone where armed groups operate freely, and neighboring countries—including Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi—compete for control of mineral resources. Despite its vast natural wealth, valued at trillions of dollars, the region remains underdeveloped due to insecurity and weak governance.
“The government in Kinshasa lacks the capacity to govern eastern DRC effectively,” Jackson noted. “Instead, it has become just another player in the resource scramble.”
He emphasized that peace in the region is impossible without addressing both domestic and international issues, including the integration of the M23 rebel group and the fractured relationship between DRC and Rwanda.
One of the core challenges, Jackson said, is the status of communities in eastern DRC, many of whom are not recognized as Congolese citizens. He pointed out that historical border shifts left groups stateless, including many M23 fighters who now dominate parts of the region.
“Uganda was also incorporated, those affected were quickly granted Ugandan citizenship. The same has not happened in the DRC, leaving many people stateless and fueling resentment” he explained.
Jackson proposed that the Congolese government integrate M23 fighters into the military and grant full citizenship to all residents of eastern DRC, arguing that “armed resistance will continue until people feel they have a stake in their country.”
Beyond internal challenges, Jackson stressed that personal animosity between Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi is a significant roadblock to stability.
He urged both leaders to work toward a cooperative solution, stating that: “At some point, personal differences must be set aside.”
A stable eastern DRC, he argued, benefits all neighboring countries by attracting foreign investment and fostering regional economic growth. However, the current climate of insecurity, corruption, and predatory taxation makes this impossible.
Jackson was particularly critical of corruption, describing cases where companies faced exorbitant and arbitrary tax demands. He cited a Swiss company with an $18 billion valuation that was handed an $80 billion tax bill—later negotiated down to $1 billion, still far beyond its actual earnings.
“This kind of corruption discourages legitimate businesses from investing,” he said. And allows only those willing to pay bribes—mainly Chinese companies—to operate freely.
In addition to bribery, he pointed to flawed judicial systems, manipulated exchange rates, and excessive fines as factors deterring Western investors and reinforcing economic stagnation.
Jackson acknowledged that solving the crisis requires structural reforms, from tackling corruption to strengthening governance and security. He challenged policymakers to explore solutions that ensure both regional stability and economic opportunity for the people of eastern DRC.
His testimony was met with a positive reaction from Rwandan officials. Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe welcomed Jackson’s remarks, stating:
“It’s refreshing to listen to a fair, accurate, balanced and nuanced testimony from a US congressman, who took time to visit the region and understand the root causes of the crisis in eastern DRC, far away from a simplistic and lazy narrative that we often hear from Europe.” Nduhungirehe posted on X.
As the conflict persists, Jackson’s testimony adds to the growing calls for a more comprehensive, regionally driven approach to resolving the crisis.
By Prince Ruzigana / The Kaminuza Star