Committee: African Union
Topic: Addressing the impact of the DRC-M23 conflict on regional peace and security
Country: Central African Republic
The resurgence of the M23 rebel group in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has
been a real threat to peace and stability of the whole African continent, especially in the Great Lakes
region. With more than 800.000 civilians losing their homes since 2022, it is evident that the conflict has
intensified and become much more threatening than ever before. This crisis has not only greatly affected
ordinary people but also the humanitarian system in DRC as well as in neighboring countries. For the
Central African Republic (CAR), a nation sharing over 1700 kilometers of frontier with DRC, it appears
that this issue demands attention. Although the M23 group does not operate near our border, it still leads
to insecurity, trading disruption and pressure on citizens. Therefore, the Central African Republic is
deeply concerned by these realities and supports efforts to implement an effective measurement.
The United Nations has long acknowledged the unstable condition in Eastern DRC as an
alarming issue. As a result, some peacekeeping efforts such as the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement have been
made by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in order to maintain a peaceful environment in the
region. In addition, the UN holds a pivotal role in supporting diplomatic efforts, including the Nairobi and
Luanda Processes. The Central African Republic has also been committing to peace and neutrality. In
2022, our Foreign Minister publicly made the announcement about the misinformation of CAR harboring
M23 rebels and any other falsely accused information. Furthermore, our government signed a security
agreement with DRC in 2024, which focused on the shared borderline and information exchange. At the
multilateral level, the Central African Republic – a member of the UN, supported the decision of
condemning M23 aggression as well as the withdrawal of forces that are backed up by foreign nations
from DRC territory. Despite these efforts, gaps still exist as many armed groups and rebels continue to
operate and the main causes of the conflict like weak governance or resource exploitation remains
unsolved.
To address the issue of conflict between DRC and M23, the Central African Republic
recommends strengthening diplomatic mediation via organizations such as the United Nations and the
African Union. This means that the African Union facilitation group, which includes heads of state, need
to receive support both politically and logistically. Moreover, UN agencies should coordinate with the
AU in order to ensure that peace efforts are not intervened, particularly considering recent political
tensions. One more approach that should be taken into consideration is investing in stabilization programs
and improving civilian infrastructure. Long-term peace cannot be achieved just through a ceasefire,
addressing the social and economic disadvantages is also crucial if a peaceful environment is the ultimate
goal. Stabilization programs that focus on restoring governance and re-establishing rules can create a non-
violent environment. Additionally, the construction of roads, hospitals and schools, especially in areas
that are affected by the conflict can help local communities recover not just physically but socially, as
well. A collaborative effort will ensure equal rights and protections for all civilians, strengthening peace
all across Africa.
