Pohamba faces uphill DRC battle

President Hifikepunye Pohamba, in his role as the chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, faces an uphill battle to make an impact on the unfolding crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to a political analyst and executive director of the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), Graham Hopwood, this is because Namibia does not have good relations with Rwanda, which is involved in the eastern DRC conflict. But another political analyst, Dr Hoze Riruako, says the DRC conflict presents an opportunity for Pohamba to cement his legacy and to earn him international respect. Hopwood added that the conflict in eastern DRC has been developing for a number of years and it will not be easy to make significant progress towards establishing peace and stability in the next year through the work of the SADC Organ. A new surge in fighting in eastern DRC has led to a UN peacekeeper being killed, as government troops pushed rebels from strategic positions. This led to the UN Security Council holding an emergency meeting on the subject. “Namibia does not have good relations with Rwanda for historical reasons and therefore it would be difficult for Pohamba to be involved in persuading Rwanda to disengage from eastern DRC and to drop any backing for rebel groups,” explained Hopwood. He is of the opinion that SADC’s best option is “probably to continue supporting UN operations and diplomacy in the DRC in the short term”. Riruako, who is a senior lecturer of politics and administrative studies at the University of Namibia (Unam), said although Pohamba has a “special relationship” with the DRC, the Head of State “must maintain his neutrality”. “It is an opportune time for both the organ and the president [Pohamba]. These conflicts present a great opportunity to Pohamba as the current chair to shine,” said Riruako. “[Former President Sam] Nujoma is credited for liberating the country; that is his legacy. There is almost nothing that one can point to as Pohamba’s legacy.” Riruako added that African leaders should abandon their mentality of being only national leaders and should forge leadership that can propel them onto the international scene, earning them respect, like in the case of former South African President Nelson Mandela. The academic added that the time is ripe for the SADC Organ and its chairperson to exert their power by playing an active role in stabilising the two conflict areas – DRC and Mozambique. “War has never been the answer and Pohamba is known as a man who means well, he under the Organ can put up a moratorium towards a ceasefire in that country by bringing both sides to the table,” he said. On the clashes in Mozambique between government forces and members of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), Riruako said it was crucial for the SADC Organ to act in order to avoid that country plunging into another civil war. He added that the violence affecting the two countries is likely to spill over onto the rest of the SADC region, which would be bad for foreign investment. Hopwood said: “The recent developments in Mozambique are worrying. The Organ and SADC as a whole should be ready to assist the Mozambican government in restoring peace and security to the areas where attacks have taken place and in facilitating any negotiations. “This could be a short-term aim for the SADC Organ under Namibia’s leadership and presents an opportunity for positive intervention in the near future.” State House and Presidential Affairs Minister Albert Kawana could not be reached for comment yesterday. WINDHOEK ELVIS MURARANGANDA