The security situation and the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were the topics discussed during a meeting in Brussels at the Presidency of the European Parliament. The DRC ambassador to Benelux and to the European Union was present for the occasion. Regarding the security situation in eastern DRC, the ambassador says the situation is “essentially positive” thanks to several ceasefire agreements. However, he noticed that the rebel group M-23 had just started a new offensive, despite the agreements made between the parties.
The ambassador also called on the EU to take sanctions against those who destabilize the DRC, in particular against Rwanda, an actor identified by the UN as the coordinator of certain armed groups in North Kivu. He wanted Brussels to go further by strengthening the effective capacities of its defense forces.
Regarding the electoral process, the DRC ambassador praised the work done by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), which removed three million people from the electoral rolls, for various reasons. He also mentioned the enrollment of displaced persons and the diaspora in the electoral lists.
The DRC representative also said that the humanitarian situation in Kalehe, South Kivu, is worrying, with a death toll of 583 and 5,255 missing. As of June 7, the aid allocated to the survivors amounts respectively to one million US dollars granted by the Congolese government, three million US dollars from the UN, and one million dollars from China. The EU contribution was not disclosed.
These exchanges take place while the DRC is facing many political and economic challenges in recent times. Recent publications on our blog closely follow these events and address equally important topics such as the fight against military impunity in cases of human rights violations, the 2018 presidential election in the DRC or the famous Congolese application awarded against sexual exploitation in the humanitarian sector