The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), in which the State participates, was conceived as the executive organ of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region1. Over the last two decades, the Congolese government has increased its overtures towards South Africa while simultaneously pursuing an inconsistent policy in the Great Lakes and East Africa, as well as curbing its commitments in central Africa.

This text analyses the DRC’s involvement in the forces at work in southern and eastern Africa. It is based on data gathered during two trips which took place in 2012: a trip to Kinshasa in November-December 2012 on behalf of IFRI, and another between February and June for the World Bank, looking at mining exports and haulage from Katanga.