The Changing Geo-Political Situation in Eastern DRC and the Impact on Stability in the Region

This briefing analyzes the shifting political and military landscape in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the leadership change in the CNDP in January 2009 and the subsequent joint military operation between the DRC and Rwanda against the FDLR.

• On 5 January 2009, Bosco Ntaganda replaced Laurent Nkunda as leader of the Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP). By 16 January 2009, Ntaganda announced a cessation of hostilities with the DRC Government, the integration of CNDP combatants into the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC), and participation in a joint operation with the FARDC and Rwanda against the FDLR.
• Operation "Umoja wetu" ("Our unity") began on 20 January 2009, involving approximately 6,000 Rwandan soldiers merging with the FARDC. The operation deployed along routes toward Rutshuru and Kanyabayonga to the north, and from Mushaki to the Masisi area to the west. While Rwandan troops were scheduled to withdraw by 28 February 2009, the operation's success is debated because the FDLR stronghold in South Kivu remained unaddressed.
• The UN force (MONUC) reported that 1,003 FDLR combatants and dependents were repatriated over 48 days, a figure equal to all repatriations in 2008. Additionally, the UN High Commission for Refugees reported 883 civilians voluntarily repatriated to Rwanda since 1 January 2009.
• An "accelerated plan" for integrating armed groups into the FARDC established regroupment sites at Rumangabo and Kimo for the CNDP, and at Murambiro and the Nyaleke brassage and training centre for PARECO and the Mayi-Mayi. As of 18 February, 3,548 CNDP elements and 2,000 members of PARECO and Mayi-Mayi were integrated into a pool of 9,335 FARDC troops. The author criticizes this approach as repeating the failed "mixage" process of 2007.
• The region faces two potential scenarios: a positive outcome requiring political will to implement the Nairobi Communiqué and Goma conference objectives, or a destabilizing scenario. Risks include the FDLR launching violent attacks on civilians, escalating ethnic hostilities, and a security vacuum in North Kivu following Rwandan withdrawal. It is estimated that 300,000 to 350,000 additional people could be affected by operations against the FDLR in North Kivu.

APA

Boshoff, H. (2009). The Changing Geo-Political Situation in Eastern DRC and the Impact on Stability in the Region. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-changing-geo-political-situation-in-eastern-drc-and-the-impact-on-stability-in-the-region

Chicago

Boshoff, Henri. The Changing Geo-Political Situation in Eastern DRC and the Impact on Stability in the Region. Institute for Security Studies, 2009. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-changing-geo-political-situation-in-eastern-drc-and-the-impact-on-stability-in-the-region.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Boshoff |first1=Henri |title=The Changing Geo-Political Situation in Eastern DRC and the Impact on Stability in the Region |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=24 February 2009 |url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-changing-geo-political-situation-in-eastern-drc-and-the-impact-on-stability-in-the-region |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{boshoff2009changing, author = {Boshoff, Henri}, title = {{The Changing Geo-Political Situation in Eastern DRC and the Impact on Stability in the Region}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2009}, month = feb, url = {https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-changing-geo-political-situation-in-eastern-drc-and-the-impact-on-stability-in-the-region}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }