Poverty is a major issue often debated by leaders across the world. This terminology can be described as the scarcity of certain amount of money or material possession. The international organizations such as UN, IMF and World Bank have established standards that distinctly describe the poor from the rich. The newly set poverty line as of October 2015 is a daily income of $1.90 (World Bank, 2015). Research by the World Bank shows that just over 700 million people in the world live below the poverty line where majority are found in Africa (Ferreira, Jolliffe, & Prydz, 2015). The DRC is just one of the numerous countries where the state of poverty is drastically high. Unfortunately, this case seems to be on a steady rise as it became the poorest countries in the world following the civil wars in the 1990s (International Monetary Fund, 2013).
Background
In the process of reducing the level of poverty in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is essential to take a look at the various factors affecting its occurrence. Since the World War II, DRC has experienced the most dangerous war than any other place in the world. The number of deaths that have occurred in the country has exceeded 5.4 million due to the conflict in the country leaving a total population of 69.6 million (Rosen, 2013). DRC is approximately two thirds the size of Europe and has numerous resources both in terms of minerals and agricultural produce. However, due to the effects of the civil war taking place for numerous years, the country has slipped in terms of development and living standards for its citizens calling for immediate attention to ensure quicker recovery.
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The effects of the war are apparent in the present society where life expectancy is at a mere 49 years as opposed to the 70 years which is the global average (BBC, 2017). More than 150 children out of 1000 born will die before the age of five (BBC, 2017). These statistics show the extent of poor healthcare present in the country. Many of the citizens particularly in rural areas have to travel long distances to get access to health treatment while others do not have that luxury at all. The depleted infrastructure makes it even harder for those who have to travel for this basic need. However, data drawn from surveys by the IMF and World Bank show that nearly a quarter of the total population was suffering from malaria in the year 2011 (International Monetary Fund, 2013). The studies also show that approximately 2.7 million persons are still displaced from their homes as a result of the war (International Monetary Fund, 2013). Thousands have fled to neighboring countries seeking refuge from the turmoil in the county.
Following cases of political instability in the country, the World Bank suspended its operations in DRC for nearly a decade (International Monetary Fund, 2013). Upon its conclusion, it reopened its offices in the country and provided a large financial aid to help alleviate the level of poverty in the country while ridding off corruption. Humanitarian intervention was also provided as a means of tackling the re-emergence of rebels in the country and helping prevent the displacement of the citizens. Approximately $3.1 billion from the World Band is committed to improve infrastructure, reduce corruption and rehabilitate education and healthcare systems that have been struggling (International Monetary Fund, 2013). The USAID program is also committed to prevent the occurrence of malaria in the country with over 70 strategic health zones set up across the country. In this way, it was a significant boost as nearly 12 million people benefitted from the health program as they previously did not have access to any care. Additionally, it addresses the issue of democracy, education, food security and environment (International Monetary Fund, 2013). The best solution to ensure effective reduction of poverty in the DRC is through thorough restructuring of the government.
Restructuring the Government
It is evident that the occurrence and continued rise in poverty has been caused by the decentralized government system. This ideology is a common technique employed to increase economic development and enhanced living standards in the country. The concept identifies the action of central authorities to focus on the numerous needs of the people within its provinces and districts as a measure of improving economic outcomes (Driscoll & Evans, 2005). However, the high level of corruption and lack of innovation has curtailed any progress towards alleviating poverty in the country. The elite members of the society will usually take control of this decentralized governance and use it for their own benefit rather than for the entire community. The ‘elite capture’as described by Crook (2003) is an example of patronage politics that only focuses on sustaining power for its rulers through control of the rural areas.
Alternatively, the best solution to ensure effective reduction of poverty in the Democratic Republic of Congo is through thorough restructuring of the government. In this case, the local authorities that usually rule the rural areas should adhere to the policies of the national government. The action of the decentralized rulers would be to enforce the guidance as a means of ensuring continued development in rural areas. Statistics show that less than 40% of the total 77 million inhabitants of the country reside in urban areas (International Monetary Fund, 2013). This data is a clear indication that majority of the people are in rural areas hence focusing on development strategies in these areas would result in high levels of eradicating poverty.
Through strengthening the national government, it is evident that two similar benefits would occur. The first is enhancing the capability of the parliament and political parties to achieve their vision for the areas they represent. For instance, parliament will undertake initiatives of evenly distributing the resources available such that rural areas are significantly developed (International Monetary Fund, 2013). Research shows that majority of rural areas depend largely on agricultural produce. Therefore, parliament will make efforts to incorporate technology use in enhancing the monetization of this economic activity significantly boosting the income of the people. The efforts will closely be monitored by international agencies like the World Bank and the IMF to ensure that humanitarian aid is not misused. The predatory taxation of the decentralized governments will be eliminated to significantly reduce occurrence of patronage politics and instead opt for democracy (International Monetary Fund, 2013).
The second strategic initiative of strengthening government is through empowering the people to participate in the political affairs of the country. The government should ensure high security levels in the country such that citizens are protected from upcoming rebel groups particularly in the Eastern regions (Blackden, &Bhanu, 1999). The proposal will be important particularly in protecting women from gender violence such as rape and harassment. The provision of a more effective media and civil society organizations will ensure that the voices of the common citizens are heard. This practice will enable DRC to engage in transparent electoral process such that there is smooth transition of power from one leader to another. The neighboring countries will assist the country in solving its numerous conflict cases to ensure satisfaction of the involved parties.
Objection
Strengthening of the national government has been opposed by various researchers who identify decentralization as a more effective means of poverty reduction. This system is proposed as a means of developing and implementing policies that can improve the experiences of the poor people in the country. In this case, it is depicted that the geographical location of power has significant influence on developmental strategies employed by the authorities (Crook, 2003). The national government is usually located in the urban areas as is the case for DRC’s government in Kinshasa. This assumption is shown to be true where the level of poverty in the country’s capital is significantly lower than the other rural areas (Ellis & Freeman, 2004). In Kinshasa, poverty is at a country low of 42% but areas like Équateur, South Kivu and Bandundu experience poverty as high as 85% (International Monetary Fund, 2013). Nevertheless, these statistics demonstrate the lack of focus in the rural developments and instead providing higher consideration to the capital. These areas are also depicted to be at high risk of upcoming rebel groups who establish revolts against the national government (Crook, 2003). Lack of appropriate security for the people in these regions results in cases of internally displaced persons. In light of this, decentralization is depicted as a possible means of eliminating this poverty outcome.
Some people doubt that poverty would be solved since landlocked countries are depicted to have high level of resistance towards economic growth particularly in Africa. The study conducted by Collier (2007) shows that the landlocked countries are at significant disadvantage due to lack of international access to the rest of the world. However, DRC is a special case as it is rich in minerals and agricultural resources (Collier, 2007). The country can use this natural wealth as leverage in conducting collaborations with the neighboring countries and expanding their reach across the continent. Implementation of decentralization is depicted as a possible route for achieving this vision of increasing wealth in the country. In this case, the rural residents will be provided for with various resources and technology to monetize produce from agricultural resources (Blackden, &Bhanu, 1999). Through decentralization, it is possible for the local district officials to restore the land for those who were displaced at the time of the civil wars. Studies show that rural residents in majority of the countries in Africa are dependent on the agricultural practices as a source of income (Crook, 2003). However, due to cases of displacement by civil war and distribution through inheritance many of them do not have significant access to such luxury. The decentralized government will provide these members with means of maximizing income despite low land space (Ellis & Freeman, 2004).
The primary ideology of decentralization is that it reduces the power distance between the national government and the ordinary citizen. This notion is true as residents in rural areas barely have the means of having access to their area authorities. However, the local governance ensures that leaders or representatives report to the national government of the significant needs of the people (Collier, 2007). Resources are distributed as per the needs identified. For instance, security measures in the rural areas are quite important and will help in deploying forces assisted by humanitarian organization to maintain peace. Development efforts will also include health centers, infrastructure and rehabilitation of educational institutions that will address the issues that the locals are experiencing (Ellis & Freeman, 2004).
Counter Argument
The argument of decentralized structure of governance is depicted as a negative notion whereby the motives for this political system remain clear (Crook, 2003). I support this idea and believe that the primary rule should be the national government to reduce impact of the local leaders on the society. The use of this structure is presented as an effort of the national government to establish overall rule in the country (Desai, & Porter, 2010). Despite establishment of a rule in constitution where presidential leaders in countries should only serve two terms of five years each, it is depicted that many of the leaders continue to defy this rule. The president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, is a great example of leaders seeking to sustain their power (Driscoll & Evans, 2005). Through control of the local governments, such leaders ensure that they are not eradicated from power. The practice of such a system is a significant example of the “elite capture’. In this case, the elite members of the society who have established wealth in one way or another are depicted as the primary control of the local government. The structure incorporates lack of fairness and high levels of corruption for its members (Mdoe, 2003). The poor members of the local districts will be ignored while the desires of the rich are continuously provided.
The high level of poverty in the Democratic Republic of Congo has called for urgent attention to undertake efforts for eradication. Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers are used to identify strengthening of the national government as an effective means of slowing the continued increase in poverty levels. At the moment, nearly 71% of the total population in the country is living under the international poverty line (International Monetary Fund, 2013). Such an occurrence is primarily due to a weak government where the local authorities oppress the poor people in the districts while providing to the needs of the elite members of the society. Strengthening the national government will increase the power for parliament to achieve its goals in the areas it represents while empowering the ordinary citizen through participation in efforts to achieve development throughout the country.
References
BBC (2017, April 11) DR Congo country profile . Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13283212
Blackden, C. M. &Bhanu, C. (1999). Gender, Growth, and Poverty Reduction: Special Program of Assistance for Africa, 1998 Status Report on Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa . (No. 428). Retrieved from https://ideas.repec.org/p/fth/wobate/428.html
Collier, P. (2007, January 8). Poverty reduction in Africa. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, USA . Vol. 104, Issue No 43, pages1-30.
Crook, R. (2003, February 4). Decentralization and poverty reduction in Africa: the politics of local–central relations. Journal of public Administration and development, Vol. 23 Issue No 1, p 77-88
Desai, V & Porter, R. (2010).Poverty Reduction Strategy Plans (PRSPs)
Driscoll, R. & Evans, A. (2005, January 4). Second-Generation Poverty Reduction Strategies: New Opportunities and Emerging Issues. Development policy review . Vol. 23 Issue No 1, p. 5-25.
Ellis, K & Freeman, H., A. (2004) Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction Strategies in Four African Countries. The journal of development studies , Vol. 40 issue no 4: 1-30
Ferreira, F., Jolliffe, D. M., & Prydz, E. B. (2015) The international poverty line has just been raised to $1.90 a day, but global poverty is basically unchanged. How is that even possible? The World Bank, Retrieved from http://blogs.worldbank.org/developmenttalk/international-poverty-line-has-just-been-raised-190-day-global-poverty-basically-unchanged-how-even
International Monetary Fund (2013) Democratic Republic of the Congo: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper . International Monetary Fund Publicsation Services. Retrieved from https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2013/cr13226.pdf
Mdoe, F. E. (2003, August 8). Livelihoods and Rural Poverty Reduction in Tanzania. World Development , Vol. 31, Issue 8: 1367–1384.
Rosen, A. (2013) The Origins of War in the DRC . The Atlantic, Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/06/the-origins-of-war-in-the-drc/277131/
World Bank (2015, September 30) FAQs: Global Poverty Line Update . Retrieved from http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/brief/global-poverty-line-faq
