The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is at the heart of the news, both in terms of security and politics. A meeting at the Presidency of the European Parliament in Brussels discussed the security situation, with the participation of the DRC Ambassador to Benelux and the European Union. The Ambassador noted that the security situation in eastern DRC is mostly positive, with the signing of several ceasefire agreements for the withdrawal of rebel troops from the positions they occupy. However, despite these agreements, the rebel group M-23 has recently started a new offensive.
The Congolese diplomat called on the EU to strengthen the effective capacities of its defense forces by taking sanctions against those who destabilize the DRC, in particular against Rwanda, identified by the UN as coordinator of certain armed groups. in North Kivu.
The ongoing electoral process in the DRC was also discussed at the Brussels meeting. The DRC ambassador commended the work of the Independent National Electoral Commission which removed three million people from the electoral lists for various reasons. He proposed to MEPs the creation of an accompanying mission to follow the process.
The humanitarian situation is also worrying in certain regions of the DRC, with a death toll of 583 and 5,255 reported missing. Aid has been allocated to survivors, but the EU’s contribution has not been communicated.
In short, the DRC faces several challenges that require rapid and effective intervention. The international community must continue to support the country in its efforts to ensure the security of the populations and guarantee a transparent and credible electoral process. The humanitarian situation must also be taken into account to avoid a new crisis