Relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have been strained of late, and this is now beginning to adversely affect the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala).
Congolese lawmakers have refused to attend two retreats, one in Kigali and another in Kampala, citing security concerns.
These functions were mandatory for all Eala members of the seven East African Partner States.
The current development has forced the crisis in eastern DR Congo into the limelight,just before an extraordinary EAC Summit on the Eastern Congo crisis.
DR Congo officially joined the EAC only last year and9 legislators from their country were sworn into the organization in December of last year.
The Eala Commission, which manages the activities of the House, had requested all the MPs present for both events and warned those who failed to turn up.
The Clerk of Eala, Alex Obatre, has dismissed the Congolese legislators’ security fears for both Kigali and Kampala as ridiculous, since the Commission has taken every measure to enhance their privileges and immunities.
Although various reasons have not been put forward for the boycott, analysts are speculating it could be a result of the deteriorating relations between DR Congo and Rwanda due to the resurgence of violence in North Kivu. DR Congo has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels.
Rwandan Eala Commission member, Amb Fatuma Ndangiza, has expressed her disappointment at the boycott, saying that if the DR Congo continues to not cooperate, they’re essentially promoting an isolationist policy.
Ndangiza argued that security matters should not be part of the Assembly’s workings, since that is in the hands of the Heads of State.
She believes thatnow, the DRC lawmakers have to start realizing that they are part of a larger community.
In conclusion, the Congolese boycott of the two Eala functions, citing security reasons, has caused unease all over the region.
The East African Partnership States are trying to iron out the disparity between DR Congo and Rwanda, since the strained relations between them is hindering the growth and development of the larger East African Community.
Source : nnn News
