During a recent discussion, researcher Joshua Z. Walker shared a sobering assessment of the ongoing peace process between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. Speaking on a Space hosted by journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, Walker, an Associate Fellow with Chatham House’s Africa program and a Senior Fellow at New York University’s (NYU) Center on International Cooperation, explored potential outcomes should Washington’s patience wane regarding the protracted stalemate.
While prefacing his remarks with a humble “I am not a prophet,” Walker outlined two primary hypotheses. The first suggests a regression to the pre-2025 period, effectively reverting to the dynamics that characterized the region before the United States significantly increased its involvement. The second, and more concerning, scenario points to a continuation of the current, unresolved impasse.
It is this latter possibility that deeply troubles the esteemed researcher. “I often say that even without an M23 withdrawal, every day that passes with the M23 continuing to occupy parts of eastern Congo, they become more entrenched,” he articulated, emphasizing the insidious nature of prolonged occupation.
Walker views the mere passage of time as a significant aggravating factor. “That’s the real fear, in fact,” he elaborated, “that we reach a point where, simply through the passage of time, we end up with a de facto situation where a portion of the DRC remains entirely outside government control.” This grim outlook underscores the urgent need for a resolution, a critical point for African news today, to prevent the M23 from solidifying its presence further in the volatile eastern territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo, impacting broader pan-African current affairs.
