By Ezra Rubanda Muhumuza
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is an economic war and since Congo is a member state of the regional EAC economic block, the solution lies in the efforts of the economic block.
The eight countries in the EAC have the obligation to come together, play a mediation role or send in an intervention force, because they have vested economic interests in DRC.
For instance, a big chunk of the produce of Uganda manufacturing sector goes to DRC. DRC is also a big source of raw materials for Uganda’s industry. Some of these raw materials are also on high demand globally.
I therefore call upon the heads of states to sit down and find an everlasting solution that will lead to the economic stability in DRC.
Political stability in DRC is dependent on economic stability in that country. Unless the regional powers open up and address these economic questions directly, we may for many years not have lasting political solution.
Foreign investment
When I look at the issue of regional foreign investment, they have for several years flowed from regional countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, into the DRC. These need to be protected.
These shocks of erupting conflicts, have kept bogging down these investments. This is not good for business continuity. Right now, we have agreed to take a position at regional level that production of the things that we have been exporting to Congo should not stop. This is because wherever they are, the citizens of DRC, who are our dear consumers, will continue to consume regardless of where they would be.
They may not consume as people in their homes, but they will still consume through relief in refugee camps. So instead of stopping manufacturing or slowing on the rates at which output is coming out of these industries, we have urged our members to continue producing. What has been affected are the distribution routes and not demand of these products. We can always find to deliver our goods to DRC.
However, in terms of the regional engagement, I urge our governments to first track the peace processes for that country through engaging the political leaders and those in opposition to help them sort out their differences.
Although we live many miles away from DRC, the sound of gunshots and bombs is very loud in our pockets, because of curtailed demand, missed economic growth opportunities and the limited supply of industrial input.
