Relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Turkey were strengthened with the participation of Congolese Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge in the inauguration ceremony of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Elected for a third term as head of Turkey, Erdogan was sworn in before several foreign political figures.
Turkey is a privileged partner and investor in the DRC, and this is reflected in the major projects it has undertaken in the country, notably the construction of the Kinshasa financial center and the modernization of N’djili airport.
Nevertheless, the DRC is grappling with many internal difficulties. Opposition leaders are calling for citizen mobilization ahead of the December 2023 elections, which could be contested. Demonstrations have been repressed in the country and the question of human rights is at the heart of the concerns. The arrest of Salomon Idi Kalonda Della, the former president of civil society, as well as the assassination in Butuhe of North Kivu of another civil society leader raise concerns about the respect of fundamental rights in the DRC .
In addition, the country has to deal with deadly terrorist attacks, particularly in Beni, a region in the Northeast. These events show the need for the DRC to intensify its efforts to protect its citizens.
Despite everything, some actors at the local level are making considerable progress. The Governor of Ituri, for example, has put an end to the impunity of armed groups in his region, and the rehabilitation of the Kinshasa-Matadi railway is a key announcement to boost the country’s economy.
In another register, the Ndudu community is mobilizing in Kinshasa to raise awareness of self-acceptance and the beauty of difference. The association “Proudly Ndundu” organizes a festival to celebrate Congolese cultural diversity.
In short, the DRC is at a crossroads with considerable internal and external challenges, while pursuing local initiatives that bring hope. The country needs the commitment of all parties to overcome these difficulties and move towards a better future.