Rep. Jonathan Jackson on DEI, Conflict Resolution in DRC, and US Foreign Policy

Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

• ⚠️ The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been trapped in a cycle of violence for decades, affecting nearly 15 million people who need humanitarian assistance.
• 📈 By 2026, an estimated 27 million people in the DRC are projected to face crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity.
• 🤝 A US-brokered peace agreement and economic framework signed by the DRC and Rwanda is questionable due to its prioritization of economic benefits from mineral extraction over sustainable peace.
• 🚫 The agreement excluded key actors, including local civil society and Congolese women, and influential destabilizing groups like the M23 movement.

Impact of US Policy on Conflict Prevention

• 📉 The termination of conflict and atrocity prevention programs that advanced livelihoods and promoted stability around critical minerals has undermined stability in the DRC.
• 🏢 The reorganization of the State Department led to the elimination of key offices focused on conflict and atrocity prevention, such as the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operation (CSO).
• 💡 Rep. Jackson argues that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are crucial as an 'on-ramp' for resolving conflicts and promoting racial justice.

US Foreign Assistance and Diplomacy

• 🌍 The US remains a major donor of life-saving humanitarian assistance, with the DRC identified as a strategic priority for regional stability and peace.
• 🛡️ Ongoing assistance programs include protection and medical services for women and girls, who are under extreme threat in the eastern DRC.
• 🗣️ While civil society was consulted on regional economic integration, the US looks to the African Union to elevate civil society voices in the implementation of peace agreements.
• 🚫 Concerns were raised about US policies that may create barriers to Africa's integration into the global economy.