The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is going through a critical period in its young political life. In a latent or open state of war since 1994, the DRC has recently held the first free and democratic elections on its territory for more than 40 years. The results published on 29 October 2006 confirmed Joseph Kabila as president of this country that covers an area the size of the whole of Western Europe. The UN Mission in the DR Congo (MONUC) has provided support to the nation since 1999. Faced with potential unrest during the democratic transition phase, it sought help from the European Union. The latter agreed to deploy a European force for a period of four months. As its mandate ended on 30 November, it is appropriate to draw initial conclusions concerning the achievements of this European mission, especially relating to the coordination of its operations with the UN. While the EU task was more to provide support in an area where the UN was seriously deficient (quick response forces) than to act in full collaboration, it none the less remains an interesting stage in the development of a synergy between these two organisations in a large-scale operation.
The EUFOR DR Congo Operation-Initial Conclusions
While the presidential electoral process was culminating in the election of Joseph Kabila on 27 October, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was in the throes of a tense security situation. The recent confrontations in Kinshasa recurred during the announcements of the results, mainly against a group of sympathisers of Kabila’s opponents, notably those of Jean-Pierre Bemba, a rich businessman from the Equator region. In the east of the country dissident soldiers took temporary control of the town of Saké to the north of Goma.
These incidents somewhat tarnished an electoral process that for the most part ran smoothly despite the challenges and limitations inherent in this immense country. This outcome was the fruit of extensive collaboration between the UN and the EU in the Congolese theatre. For the EU, this operation was a decisive test of the growing strength of European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
The EU mandate ended on 30 November, and it would therefore be useful to make a first assessment of this operation.
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