Defence Integration Debates in the DRC Peace Process Experts Workshop Report

The report examines the challenges of defence integration in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), arguing that the process is primarily a short-term political measure to end hostilities rather than a purely military reform. It highlights a history of governance deficits, where military professionalism was replaced by clientelism and ethnic representativity, leading to state collapse. The document advocates for a comprehensive approach to security sector reform (SSR) that integrates defence, public service, and business sector reforms to prevent the recurrence of a destructive 'war economy'. It also details a workshop conducted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and Labor Optimus to encourage the DRC's engagement with the SADC Organ for Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (OPDSC).

• Defence integration in the DRC is prioritised over demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) as a political strategy to cease violence and create space for the democratisation of state institutions.
• The DRC possesses significant but disorganised military capabilities, with approximately 300,000 combatants to integrate, including former Mobutu forces, AFDL remnants, and Mai-Mai militia groups.
• Historical governance failures in the DRC led to the replacement of military professionalism with clientelism, ethnic security dilemmas, and kleptocratic practices, which contributed to the collapse of the Mobutu regime in 1997.
• The 'war economy' in the Great Lakes region has proven destructive, fostering corruption and illegal regional integration while undermining public institutions and technological innovation.
• Sustainable defence integration requires a tripartite reform strategy involving the security sector, the public service sector, and the business development sector to absorb personnel excesses and ensure economic stability.
• The workshop facilitated by the ISS and Labor Optimus aimed to encourage the DRC to utilise SADC mechanisms, such as the OPDSC, and resulted in a defence pact between South Africa and the DRC.

APA

Kibasomba, R. (n.d.). Defence Integration Debates in the DRC Peace Process Experts Workshop Report. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SOLIDARITYDEFENCEINTRO.PDF

Chicago

Kibasomba, Roger. Defence Integration Debates in the DRC Peace Process Experts Workshop Report. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SOLIDARITYDEFENCEINTRO.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kibasomba |first1=Roger |title=Defence Integration Debates in the DRC Peace Process Experts Workshop Report |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SOLIDARITYDEFENCEINTRO.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kibasombanddefence, author = {Kibasomba, Roger}, title = {{Defence Integration Debates in the DRC Peace Process Experts Workshop Report}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SOLIDARITYDEFENCEINTRO.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }