The extraordinary conference of the ICGLR organized under the chairmanship of the African Union Commission was an opportunity to discuss the major concerns of the Great Lakes region. The work focused on solutions to mitigate the disastrous humanitarian consequences known in the region, particularly in the DRC.
In his speech, Moussa Faki Mahamat commended regional organizations for their diplomatic and military efforts aimed at defusing tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. However, he called on the United Nations to act by providing financial and technical support while announcing a quadripartite of regional organizations on the DRC issue.
Despite the existence of the regional force EACRF created in 2022 to stop the advance of the armed group M23, the rebels are still present in the eastern part of the DRC. Thus, Moussa Faki Mahamat recalled the collective determination of the Great Lakes region to become an area of lasting peace and security, but also of shared growth and development.
The news in the DRC is indeed turbulent, with opposition leaders calling for citizen mobilization before the next elections in December 2023 and arrests that raise questions about respect for human rights. On the other hand, the rehabilitation of the Kinshasa-Matadi railway heralds significant economic development for the country.
Unfortunately, the deadly terrorist attack in Beni shows the need to strengthen the protection of citizens against armed groups in the region. However, the governor of Ituri has put an end to the impunity of these groups in his region by taking decisive measures.
The DRC is at a turning point in its history and faces many security and development challenges. The work of the conference made it possible to put on the table the current challenges and the possible solutions to move to a decisive stage of peace and prosperity for all.