The region of Beni, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was again the scene of clashes between the FARDC (armed forces of the DRC) and the jihadists of the democratic and allied forces (ADF) on 31 last May. The fighting took place in the Rwenzori sector, where the armed forces succeeded in neutralizing six elements of the foreign rebellion and recovered three weapons of war.
According to the army spokesman in the region, these clashes have reduced the influence of the ADF in the area. However, the situation remains worrying, and the army continues to carry out search operations to guarantee security and free movement in the region. The collaboration of the population is essential to defeat the enemy.
On the political level, several advances have been made recently in the DRC. An extraordinary summit of the East African Community was held at the end of May, and important steps have been taken to strengthen security in the east of this region. Furthermore, the national monitoring mechanism for the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement was recently strengthened with the appointment of Julienne Lusenge to the post of Deputy Coordinator.
However, the situation is not yet completely stable, and challenges remain to be met, particularly in terms of justice and security. The International Criminal Court is still investigating crimes against humanity committed in Lituiri province, and the restriction of civic space is a growing concern for citizen movements in the DRC.
Finally, the food crisis still threatens certain parts of the country, as evidenced by the suspension of transport on the roads leading to the former eastern province. In this difficult context, initiatives such as the fair for young Congolese entrepreneurs, which recently took place in Kinshasa, are crucial to stimulate the economy and support the development of the country.