Global Policy Forum

Jean Marie Guéhenno, UN head of Peackeeping operations, visited Kinshasa on Wednesday December 6 for the inauguration of newly elected president Joseph Kabila. During his stay, he gave an interview to monuc.org, in which he spoke on many issues related to MONUC and the DRC.

Interview synopsis

Mr. Guéhenno on MONUC's mandate:

MONUC will not pack their bags. There is a lot of work to be accomplished, but I believe that the international community is very convinced that this is not the moment to abandon the Congolese, but on the contrary to continue in a step of solidarity. But MONUC will adapt, because MONUC, when there was no elected authorities, had a different role. Now MONUC will give support to these new institutions, which have the legitimacy of democracy.

MONUC's departure date is a decision that will be taken by the UN Security Council. I would like to see MONUC staying for a further three years. And I'm convinced that it will stay for many years because everyone knows that the work is not finished.

I think that it is necessary that there is, between the international community and the Congolese, a sort of contract, not in the legal sense of the term, but a reciprocal type of engagement, so that the international community and the Congolese can set a certain number of phases and stages to be completed, before the downsizing and eventual withdrawal of MONUC from the country.

What is needed is that objectives are set, and as they are met, that there is a gradual progressive change in the format of MONUC. But it needs to be done in reflective and reasonable way, which corresponds to the needs and objectives of the country.

Today, there is close to 100,000 people deployed under the banner of the United Nations across the world, and 20,000 of these are deployed in the Congo, between military, police and civilians. This represents a fifth of the United Nations staff worldwide, as more or less one fifth of the peacekeeping budget. Therefore, when the situation consolidates itself in the DRC, I think that it will be necessary, at that moment, to downsize MONUC; but it will not be done in a hurried and non reflective way, that would be irresponsible.

Mr. Guéhenno on the International Community and the DRC:

This is not the moment to abandon the Congo, a country that has been devastated by war. On the contrary, efforts need to be redoubled but it has to be an effort which is more and more focused on development. This is not to say that on the military side, MONUC will pack its bags because, as long as there is no consolidated and credible police force, or a solid army that respects human rights, MONUC needs to stay to cover every eventuality.

At the same time, development efforts need to be intensified in relation to public services, so that a basic service is assured. For example, I would like that the engineers of MONUC work, as much as possible, with the Congolese to aid them in repairing infrastructure where they are deployed.

The international community can play a role in relation to transparency. It is not enough for the international community to say "you must do this or that", in a paternalistic, arrogant way, as this is a matter for the Congolese. That is neocolonialism, and no one wants that.

What the international community can do is bring technical ability. This is being done by the World Bank as they examine mining contracts in Katanga. In this way, Congolese public debate will be an informed debate, as public pressure demands transparency and honesty.

Mr. Guéhenno on the DRC political process:

The elections are a foundation stone, and a new legitimacy has been created, not only with a president, but with a national assembly, a provincial assembly and governors. It is all these institutions, with weights and counterbalances, which are the essence of democracy; but you need to complete the foundation in order to build the house.

All the main political leaders are on the road to national reconciliation. I met vice president Bemba, who confirmed to me his commitment to be an opposition, one which operates within the framework of the institutions of the Republic. I think that this is a very important signal which he has sent out.

Today the country is tired of war, and all the leaders know that, if they use the language of war and violence, it will not be heard. Therefore there is a real will for peace at the very highest level.

I believe that with good governance, this will bring about transparency. The fact is that the elections have brought about a real pluralism, there will be an executive, a parliamentary majority and also an opposition, this is a good thing.

Obviously, in a country torn apart by civil war, there is always differences of opinion, but if they are managed democratically, it's a winning card. The Congolese institutions need to function in a way that establish transparency, so that no one can be in sole control, so that it is possible to publicly discuss the main questions, notably the exploitation of resources, in the interest of all Congolese.

In a stabilised country, it is essential that the opposition take part in the elected institutions, because if democracy is practiced on the streets, it is not democracy, it descends very quickly into violence and intimidation, and this is a very dangerous road. I believe that what is important now is get the elected institutions up and running, so that through these, the voice of the minority can be expressed. A democratic election does not give a blank paper to the winner, it does not allow the winner to do whatever he wants, but a democracy gives him a responsibility to those who gave him power.

I think it is in the interests of the president not be a prisoner of his majority: on certain issues some of his majority will not follow him, but he could be supported by members of the opposition. A real democratic debate must be allowed to flourish in the parliament and the assembly.

The role of the opposition is to bring ideas, to oblige others to transparency, so that there will not be one sole voice that dominates. I think that when there is this type of debate, this creates a discipline for every politician, so that they cannot live through propaganda, because this propaganda will be contradicted by others. This pluralism of voices is the best guarantee of progress.

I believe that one does not need to worry excessively about the future, but, at the same time, I say to all Congolese: the peace is in your hands, it is up to everyone, through your personal actions, to send out a language of reconciliation so that the language of war and revenge doesn't dominate.

The actions of non governmental organisations, and civic actions at a grassroots level are very important, because peace does not come from up high, peace comes from the people, those who chose to make peace at all levels. Everyone has a personal responsibility for consolidating peace tomorrow.

Mr. Guéhenno on Economic Development in the DRC:

The state, which was virtually destroyed by the war over the last number of years, now needs to be reconstructed, for the service of the people, so that tomorrow the people will have access to education, access to health, with roads, and all the things that make life livable, all that will permit a country to live in a decent way. It is all this that must be started now. Behind sovereign institutions, you need to build public services so that everyone has work, so that families can live. This work takes a long time, but I believe, in the 18 months to come, it will be very important that the new elected authorities effect a real change in the lives of the people.

You need also to collect fiscal resources, therefore it is necessary to establish an equitable relationship between the Congolese state and the enterprises which control the mines, the forests and numerous riches in the country, so that these riches can be managed for the benefit of the population. It is also necessary that the enterprises, when they invest, will make profits, but also that there are sufficient taxes for the Congolese state, in a way that will really profit all Congolese.

Mr. Guéhenno on Security Sector Reform in the DRC:

You need to consolidate security. Today MONUC plays a very important role in relation to security. It is necessary to have a police, and an army that inspires confidence in its citizens; a justice system is needed that inspires confidence, which is fair to all. Therefore, you need first of all to build sovereign institutions.

On the security front, one must first of all maintain a military presence that secures the zones that are prone to violence. Secondly, MONUC continues to train the police. Thirdly, a coordinated action is required so that the efforts- which are made by Angola, South Africa and Belgium, as well as the European Union- are coordinated in a way that responds to the needs assessment of the Congolese government for consolidating security.

Thousands of combatants have been disarmed. One of the great problems, and we see this particularly in Ituri, is that the ones who give up their arms do not always find work afterwards; therefore the issue of unemployment and the absence of economic activity is a real problem. In parallel with action on the security front, it is also necessary to have development programmes, so that the ex combatants can live without a gun.

With 17,000 troops in a country of 60 million inhabitants, MONUC will never be capable of assuring security everywhere. I believe that the combination of military action determined by MONUC and political discussions has really contributed to stabilising North Kivu in recent days. This needs to continue in the same way so that there is not a warlord in a part of the country that can defy the authorities and public order, because this is unacceptable.

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