The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is preparing to host the force of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), whose mandate will be offensive and which will be mainly active in the province of North Kivu where the troops from the East African Community (EAC). This decision was taken at a SADC summit last March. However, the deployment of this force raises many questions.
According to Christophe Lutundula, the Congolese deputy prime minister in charge of foreign affairs, SADC contingents will soon be deployed in the DRC to help the country solve the problems of insecurity in the province of North Kivu. However, the exact date remains unknown at this time.
The DRC is currently facing several security challenges, including violent conflicts in Kwango province, deadly floods in South Kivu, growing insecurity in cities, terrorism and looting. Faced with these situations, the Congolese government is strengthening security in certain areas to regain control.
However, the country is also a victim of mining fraud internationally, as denounced by the DRC during the recent forum on responsible mineral supply chains of the OECD. This situation is detrimental to the Congolese economy and highlights the need to strengthen monitoring of supply chains to ensure responsible exploitation of mineral resources.
Finally, on the sidelines of political and economic news, it is interesting to highlight the artistic work of Jeanpy Kabongo, a Congolese artist who combines photography and Kuba carpets for a reconciliation with his cultural heritage. His remarkable work is a true ode to the cultural richness of the DRC.
In short, the DRC faces various challenges that require concrete and urgent action. The deployment of the SADC force is an important step to strengthen security in the country, but it is also crucial to combat mining fraud and enhance Congolese cultural wealth.