Round table on the future of the state of siege in North Kivu and Ituri: the Congolese government takes the lead
The Congolese government has officially announced a roundtable to discuss the future of the state of siege decreed in North Kivu and Ituri. This exceptional measure was put in place to combat the armed groups responsible for the security crisis and the massacres in this region. The round table, which will last three days from August 16 to 18, 2023, will be held at the Palais du Peuple in Kinshasa.
The decision was taken by Prime Minister Sama Lukonde, who instructed the National Assembly to make the appropriate rooms available to accommodate this crucial work. In his correspondence, the head of the Congolese government stressed the importance of this round table to take stock of the state of siege in force for more than two years.
Since the establishment of the state of siege, the results remain controversial. Some civil society actors, pressure groups and Congolese opposition leaders believe that the state of siege has broken down, leaving civilians at the mercy of armed groups. For their part, the Congolese armed forces claim that the situation is under control, but admit that there are still challenges to overcome.
This round table will therefore be an opportunity to assess the results of the state of siege and to discuss the measures to be taken to guarantee security and stability in these two provinces. Government, military, civil society and opposition representatives are expected to meet to discuss actions to be taken.
The holding of this round table demonstrates the Congolese government’s desire to involve all stakeholders in the search for solutions to end the crisis in these regions affected by violence. This also testifies to the importance given to transparency and dialogue in the resolution of security problems.
We now have to wait for the results of this round table and the concrete actions that will result from it. The populations of North-Kivu and Ituri undoubtedly hope that this meeting will lead to relevant and effective decisions to guarantee peace and security in their region.
In conclusion, the question of the future of the state of siege in North Kivu and Ituri is at the center of concerns in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The holding of this round table is an important step towards resolving this security crisis and marks a desire for dialogue and a common search for solutions. All the stakeholders will have to show good will and responsibility to reach decisions that meet the expectations of the populations and make it possible to put an end to the violence that is raging in these provinces