The final lead-up to Congo’s elections marks a pivotal moment for reform and conflict prevention in eastern Congo. Before the November 28 scheduled vote, the Congolese government is desperate to deliver services to eastern Congo, a region that strongly supported President Joseph Kabila in the 2006 election but where his support has waned because of continued war. The Congolese government can help boost public opinion in the East and prevent the outbreak of violence by initiating reforms that would have a lasting impact on ending the conflict. The legislation U.S. President Barack Obama signed in July 2010 addressing the war’s financial driver, conflict min- erals, has further opened the window for reform, and the Obama administration must follow up on it with additional action.

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