The security situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to be at the heart of the concerns of the authorities and international organizations. Thus, the Deputy Prime Minister of Defense and former combatants of the DRC, Jean-Pierre Bemba, traveled to Luanda (Angola) to take part in the extraordinary summit of the CIRGL on the security situation in the east of the DRC and Sudan.
The presence of Jean-Pierre Bemba in Luanda is linked to the mediation of the African Union (AU) regarding the aggression of the DRC by Rwanda. The President of Angola, João Lourenço, as the AU-appointed mediator, is very concerned about the tension in eastern DRC and plans to send 500 Angolan soldiers to provide security in the areas where are stationed the members of the M23.
This unit of Angolan soldiers aims to secure areas where RDF/M23 troops have carried out ceasefire violations, thus sabotaging the Luanda and Nairobi processes. Despite the roadmap adopted by the DRC and Rwanda in July 2022 in Luanda to promote peace and stability in the east of the country and in the Great Lakes region, Rwanda and its M23 auxiliaries are hindering its implementation. much to the chagrin of ICGLR member states, the AU and the international community.
The situation is also tense politically in the DRC, where citizen movements denounce the government’s forcing in the electoral process and call for the suspension of the bill on the distribution of seats. Nevertheless, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the DRC has received praise from Western embassies despite some lingering concerns.
Furthermore, the governor of Ituri is determined to work to stabilize the troubled regions and to send a strong message to the armed groups. It invites the latter to answer for their actions before national and international justice.
However, the DRC is facing new terrorist attacks in Beni, which once again highlights the worrying security situation in the country.
Finally, the Congolese franc is stabilizing on the official foreign exchange market, while the informal market remains affected.
So many topical issues that show the major challenges facing the DRC in terms of security and political and economic stability.