The province of Ituri, located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been plagued by a precarious security situation for several years. With more than one million six hundred thousand people displaced, humanitarian workers are working hard to provide humanitarian assistance to populations affected by militia violence.
A recent visit by the Under-Secretary-General for United Nations Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, helped to raise international awareness of the difficult situation faced by the populations of the region. His visit notably provided an opportunity to exchange with local leaders on the conclusions of the recent dialogue between local armed groups, and to discuss the state of play of the PDDRC-S process.
Despite the joint efforts of the Angolan and Congolese governments to promote peace, stability and security in the east of the country, the situation remains tense. Recent violence in the Rwenzori region has resulted in the death of six jihadists in clashes with the army.
But the situation is not just about security. The failed rehabilitation of Kinshasa’s roadways is endangering the safety of pedestrians and motorists, while the economic challenges facing the country are driving the national currency up 0.6% on the official foreign exchange market.
Despite these challenges, the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, remains committed to investing in the country’s economic development and promoting political stability. However, the organization of elections in the DRC remains under threat, particularly due to voter turnout in the conflict areas of North Kivu.
African leaders also have an important role to play in stabilizing the situation in the DRC. A confidential CIA report recently revealed East African complicity in the balkanization of the DRC, despite criticism from the international community.
In sum, the situation in the DRC is a cause for international concern. It is crucial that local and international leaders step up their efforts to promote peace and security in the country, while ensuring that the humanitarian needs of conflict-affected populations are met.