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March 2, 2015

Groups call on Secretary Kerry to appoint New Special Envoy for Great Lakes Region and DRC

When talking about war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it’s easy to want to look away.  For the past 18 months, former Senator Russell Feingold has served as the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  During that time, he and his staff worked tirelessly to make sure the U.S. government and its partners in Africa addressed some of the biggest and urgent challenges facing DRC and the entire region.  Now, Special Envoy Feingold has stepped down from his position, leaving some very big shoes to fill.

During his time as Special Envoy, Senator Feingold helped bring about several positive developments for peace in the region.  He helped unite regional governments to bring an end of the M23 rebel group, which waged a campaign of violence and terror across eastern DRC.  He emphasized the need for accountability of those who commit atrocities and mas violence against civilians.  And he worked with international and regional leaders to start honest discussions and encourage real efforts to have stable, democratic transitions of power.

Last week, in his final speech as Special Envoy, Senator Feingold talked about why engagement with this vital region of Africa is so essential.  That engagement must continue with little delay.

Today, 23 organizations and individuals who both work in and advocate for stability, peace, and prosperity in the DRC and the entire Great Lakes Region of Africa signed a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry asking him to appoint a new, high-level Special Envoy to continue the great work of Senator Feingold and seize advantage of the momentum that has been generated through U.S. engagement in this region of the world.  To break stride and look away now would be a huge blow for security, peace, and stability in this region that has seen little of each for a long time.

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Dear Secretary Kerry:

We write to highlight the urgent and critical importance of appointing another prominent, high-level Special Envoy For the Great Lakes Region and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since the appointment of Senator Russell Feingold as Special Envoy less than two years ago, the United States (U.S.) has played an increasingly central role in addressing one of the most enduring and serious humanitarian and human rights crises in the world in the DRC.  The United States’ engagement was critical to the effective removal of the rebel group M23, elevating accountability as an essential element of a durable peace, and taking the lead in calling for timely and transparent democratic elections.

Much, however, remains to be done.  We are pleased to hear that the Administration plans to appoint a successor to Senator Feingold.  We believe a dynamic, high-profile, well-resourced US Special Envoy reporting directly to the Secretary of State, and working with the DRC and other regional governments, is critical to addressing the challenges in Congo and promoting wider stability in the Great Lakes region.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 2.7 million people remain displaced in Congo. Thousands of civilians have been killed in massacres, and women and girls have suffered horrific levels or rape and sexual violence. Around fifty armed groups continue to threaten and terrorize the populations in eastern Congo, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). DRC’s national demobilization program, which was tailored to disarm, demobilize, rehabilitate, and reintegrate these armed groups, has been stalled for the past 14 months.  While the Congolese government is gradually restoring its presence in parts of eastern Congo, exploitation and abuse by both state actors and armed groups are widespread. Furthermore, a poorly regulated trade in minerals––a trade that links the Congo to consumers in the United States––allows armed groups to extort funds and abuse civilians.

Congo is heading into a period of great uncertainty. While the Independent National Electoral Commission has now set the timetable for national elections, it remains unclear if President Kabila will step down after the completion of his second term, as is stipulated by the Congolese constitution. While there have been some significant steps forward in the democratic process in DRC, the next 21 months will be pivotal to the outcome.  One key issue at stake is years of international efforts to help the Congolese build more accountable and effective government institutions. This is a moment that requires strong, uninterrupted support from the United States and other international actors, alongside a vibrant and engaged Congolese civil society.  A new Special Envoy should build on the openings created by Special Envoy Feingold’s engagement with political actors and civil society groups and deepen that role.

As Special Envoy Feingold steps down, we urge the Administration to continue the good work of that office and to build on its achievements through the rapid appointment of a new high-profile Envoy with a strong staff (and financial support) who reports directly to the Secretary of State.  With such an envoy in place, the U.S. will continue to be uniquely positioned to work with the Congolese, their government, and regional governments including Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, and Angola to ensure that peace, stability, respect for human rights and rule of law take hold in this strategic and vital region.

We thank you for your dedication and commitment on this issue and are eager to work with you and the new Special Envoy to achieve our shared goals.

Sincerely,

Africa Faith and Justice Network

American Jewish World Service

Anthony W. Gambino (Former USAID Mission Director to the DRC)

Eastern Congo Initiative

Enough Project

Free the Slaves

Human Rights Watch

Humanity United

Jason Stearns, Congo Research Group

Jewish World Watch

Mark Schneider, Senior Vice President, International Crisis Group

Mercy Corps

Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Hoover Institution

Oxfam

Open Society Institute

Open Square Charitable Gift Fund

Refugees International

Stephen R. Weissman, Former Staff Director, House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Africa

United to End Genocide

Walk Free

World Relief

World Vision US

Cc: Samantha Power, Susan Rice, Linda Thomas-Greenfield

 

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