Peace and Security Council Report No 53

This edition of the Peace and Security Council Report includes country analyses on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia and the Central African Republic (CAR).

The DRC country analysis focuses on developments in the eastern part of the country and the slow and difficult advance toward peace between the government and M23 rebels. The role of key international and regional actors as potential peace-makers or spoilers in eastern Congo is also considered.

The Somalia country analysis covers the continuing quest for peace and stability with a key emphasis on federal-provincial tensions between Mogadisho and Kismayo, as well as leadership rivalries between the president and the prime minister. The security situation in the country in the light of Al-Shabaab’s increasing use of guerrilla tactics is also considered, along with questions about the dependability of the funds pledged to Somalia at the recent Brussels’ conference.

Finally, the CAR country analysis highlights the precarious humanitarian situation, exacerbated by ongoing lawlessness and rising inter-religious violence between Christians and Muslims. The key roles of African regional organisations and international actors, particularly the African Union-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (AFISM-CAR), are also discussed.

Duke Kent-Brown (Editor)