Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the potential impact of the withdrawal of the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) on the recruitment and use of child soldiers. It argues that while the DRC has a legal framework prohibiting child soldiering, a lack of government capacity and socio-economic instability leave youth vulnerable to exploitation by armed groups.

This report examines the political opportunities and challenges facing President Felix Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during his first year in office. It highlights the tension between Tshisekedi and former President Joseph Kabila, whose FCC coalition maintains a dominant majority in Parliament. The author argues that for Tshisekedi to succeed and secure a second term in 2023, he must shift the political balance, reform the CENI and Constitutional Court, and address dire socio-economic needs. The report also discusses the necessity of a regional approach to peace in the eastern DRC involving Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, and suggests that the international community can support transformational change by promoting transparency in the mining sector via IMF engagement.