Latest news on the visit of Belgian parliamentarians to the DRC
On June 2, 2023, a delegation of Belgian parliamentarians met the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi. At the heart of the discussions, questions of cooperation between Belgium and the DRC, as well as their cooperation project. During this meeting, the Belgian parliamentarians reassured the Head of State on a greater involvement of the European Union in the aggression of the DRC by Rwanda via the M23. Corruption and the 2023 elections were also discussed.
Previously, this same delegation of Belgian parliamentarians had visited the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). “If there is a need at the financial level or at the level of observation, we are there to assist the ongoing electoral process”, declared the president of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Belgian Parliament, Els Van Hoof, at the end. of the audience granted by the 1st vice-president of the central electoral office, Bienvenu Ilanga.
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Belgian Parliament is closely following the ongoing electoral process from Belgium. For her, it is important that there is a consolidation of democracy in the DRC, and the CENI is responsible for the electoral process.
The visit of the Belgian delegation is also part of a context of political tensions in the DRC, as evidenced by the arrest of Salmon Idi Kalonda Della, right arm of Moïse Katumbi. The special economic zones set up by the state to pacify the province of Lituhi are also at the center of current concerns.
Sustaining peace and security in eastern DRC was also discussed at the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State of the East African Community. Armed groups in the region are subject to a cantonment phase, before their disarmament and demobilization.
Other recent news in the DRC include the trial of soldiers accused of violence, the security fragility in the country and the transporters’ strike which is disrupting the goods transport sector. But also the restoration and preservation of nature, as evidenced by the creation of the Godfather Foundation, or the future of Congolese pivot Oscar Tshiebwe in the NBA draft list