The meeting devoted to the security crisis in eastern DRC opened this Wednesday, July 12 in Goma in the presence of Uhuru Kenyatta, facilitator appointed by the EAC. This meeting aims to find a peaceful resolution for the Congolese people and the DRC, and it brings together several stakeholders, including the Head of Monusco and the representatives of the USA, France, Belgium and Switzerland as observers.
Political dialogue is recommended as a solution to the crisis in eastern DRC by many regional and international actors. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa made it clear during his visit to Kinshasa that resolving the crisis requires negotiation. For its part, the European Union stresses that political dialogue must be privileged to avoid a military confrontation and the resulting suffering for the population.
The Goma meeting focuses in particular on the issue of pre-cantonment and cantonment of M23 fighters. The Congolese government is optimistic about this issue and has already prepared viable ground in Rumangabo to accommodate the fighters. However, the M23 continues to claim that it is not concerned by this cantonment process.
In parallel with this security crisis, the DRC is preparing to organize elections next December. Uhuru Kenyatta urges the parties to the conflict to allow the return of internally displaced people so that they can take part in the polls. He insists on the need for an inclusive and peaceful electoral process for the Congolese population.
This meeting in Goma follows the one in Nairobi, which was held on June 30, where it was decided to halt hostilities by the M23 and to begin pre-quartering, quartering and demobilization operations for the movement’s troops. rebel.
The situation in the DRC remains worrying, but the efforts made during this meeting show a desire to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. Political dialogue and the pre-cantonment of combatants are essential steps to bring stability to eastern DRC and allow the Congolese population to live in peace and security