“The Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium strengthen their cooperation: Corruption, elections and consolidation of democracy at the heart of the debates”

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium are in the midst of discussions to strengthen their cooperation. President Félix Tshisekedi thus exchanged with a delegation of Belgian parliamentarians on various subjects such as corruption, the aggression of Rwanda via the M23 and the 2023 elections. The Belgian parliamentarians also went to the headquarters of the CENI to assist the ongoing electoral process. The president of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Belgian Parliament affirmed that it was important to consolidate democracy in the DRC. Citizens’ movements in the DRC warn of the restriction of civic space and electoral pressure. Despite this, the Young Congolese Entrepreneurs Fair motivated a day of inspiration, exchange and financing in the country. Thus, significant progress has been made in terms of security, justice and the food crisis in the DRC. Julienne Lusenge has also been appointed deputy coordinator of the national monitoring mechanism for the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement in the DRC, a step forward for the representation of women in peacebuilding. Finally, deputies and senators call for the release of political prisoners and an end to the dictatorship in the DRC