Update on the DRC transition: The case of the Kivu provinces

This report provides an update on the transitional period in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), focusing on the Kivu provinces as of May 2004. It details the failure of the Transitional Government (TG) to unify military and administrative structures, the persistence of violence and poverty, and the ongoing tensions surrounding the nationality of the Banyarwanda and the influence of Rwanda.

• The transitional period in the DRC has provided limited benefits to the population, particularly in the Kivu provinces, where violence persists. As of April 2004, OCHA reported over 1.2 million internally displaced persons in North and South Kivu alone, while thousands of refugees remain in neighbouring countries.
• The unification of the Congolese army (FARDC) is superficial due to parallel command structures. The Maison Militaire in the president's office gives orders to ex-government soldiers and some Mayi-mayi groups, while other factions like the RCD, RCD-K-ML, and MLC maintain their own parallel orders.
• North Kivu, specifically the territories of Masisi and Rutshuru, has seen relative economic improvement and increased agricultural production, with cattle numbers rising to around 50,000. However, these benefits are largely concentrated among a small group of local leaders and RCD officials.
• The Transitional Government (TG) is plagued by mistrust and political infighting, which has paralysed decision-making and delayed the appointment of provincial governors. This lack of unity has contributed to ethnic tensions in Bukavu, specifically targeting the Banyamulenge, and the resurgence of hate speech via Radio Patriot.
• Significant mineral wealth in the Kivus is not benefiting the state or the population due to widespread corruption and smuggling. Large quantities of gold and cassiterite are produced in locations such as Kitutu, Lugushwa, Kamituga, Kalima, Walikale, and Lulingu, but these resources are largely untaxed.
• The nationality of the Banyarwanda remains a volatile issue, with some politicians and civil society leaders accusing them of collaborating with Rwanda. This has led to attacks on Banyamulenge and Rwandans in Bukavu and created a risk that these communities may join new rebellions.
• Rwanda maintains a strong interest in the Kivu region and is reported by MONUC to occasionally cross borders into the DRC for 'hit and run' operations in North Kivu. Rwanda has expressed doubts about the ability of MONUC and the FARDC to secure the border.

APA

Romkema, H. (2004). Update on the DRC transition: The case of the Kivu provinces. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/KIVUSMAY04.PDF

Chicago

Romkema, Hans. Update on the DRC transition: The case of the Kivu provinces. Institute for Security Studies, 2004. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/KIVUSMAY04.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Romkema |first1=Hans |title=Update on the DRC transition: The case of the Kivu provinces |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=7 May 2004 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/KIVUSMAY04.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{romkema2004update, author = {Romkema, Hans}, title = {{Update on the DRC transition: The case of the Kivu provinces}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2004}, month = may, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/KIVUSMAY04.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }