The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has gone back on his promise to settle in Goma to closely monitor the security situation in the east of the country. This promise was made during the 2020 election campaign, where he pledged to fight to bring peace and security to this region marked by the presence of numerous armed groups.
However, in a recent interview, President Tshisekedi explained that he can now follow the fighting on the ground in real time using technology from his headquarters in Kinshasa. He stressed that as Supreme Commander of the armed forces, he did not need to physically go to Goma for the necessary measures to be taken.
This statement drew mixed reactions. Some welcome the use of new technologies for surveillance and conflict management, pointing out that it allows the president to have a more global view of the situation throughout the country. Others, on the other hand, express their disappointment at the renunciation of the promise to settle in Goma, considering that this would have shown a real commitment to the population of the east of the country.
It is important to note that the issue of security in eastern DRC is a major challenge for the government. This region is often the scene of violence, forced displacement and human rights violations. The presence of numerous armed groups, as well as tensions with neighboring countries, make the situation complex and require a comprehensive approach to achieve lasting peace.
President Tshisekedi had made the pacification of the east of the country one of his priorities when he came to power. It remains to be seen how he intends to materialize this commitment, in particular by strengthening efforts to disarm armed groups and by promoting dialogue with regional actors.
In any case, it is essential to pay sustained attention to the situation in eastern DRC and to encourage initiatives aimed at restoring peace and security in this region. The challenges are many, but with strong political will and the support of the international community, progress can be made towards lasting stability and a better future for the Congolese people