The security situation in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains worrying despite the presence of forces from the Community of East African States (EAC) and troops from the Economic Community for Southern African Development (SADC). Their respective mandates were extended for a period of three months after the EAC heads of state meeting in Bujumbura last June, although the Congolese foreign minister had announced a few days before that the mandate of the forces of the EAC would end in June without being extended.
Among the various attempts to pacify the region, the SADC had also mentioned sending its troops at the end of June during the meeting of the interministerial advisory committee for the Great Lakes in Luanda. However, the situation on the ground is complex and raises questions about the coordination between the various forces involved. War experts also fear a confrontation between the EAC and SADC in North Kivu, while the M23 rebels are reportedly preparing to retake the town of Goma.
Faced with this situation, the Congolese Deputy Prime Minister and his colleague from Regional Integration demanded a firm condemnation from the CIRGL (interministerial advisory committee for the Great Lakes) of any attempt to relaunch the war on the part of the M23 and Rwandan rebels.
At the same time, the Congolese President, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, has to face a difficult economic situation despite a slight rise in the national currency on the official foreign exchange market. In addition, the political situation in the DRC is threatened by an uncertain voter turnout in the conflict regions of North Kivu, as explained by a deputy from the country on the blog Fatshimètre.
In this region, security therefore remains a major challenge for the Congolese government and the civilian population. Killings of members of civil society are on the rise, while the governor of Lituiri province has issued an ultimatum to armed groups following the visit of the ICC prosecutor. Clashes also continue to pit the jihadists against the Congolese army in the Rwenzori region.
Despite these challenges, the Congolese president remains committed to the economic development of his country and encourages the voluntary repatriation of Rwandan refugees.