The European Union (EU) met with the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of defense in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to obtain security assurances before the deployment of its election observers in the country. The EU mission, currently in place for two weeks, must check whether the political, security and logistical conditions are met for the deployment of European observers next December. The delegation asked specific questions about the hot spots of the Deputy Prime Minister, but did not get a concrete answer. The EU is expected to give its response to the Congolese government next September.
This EU exploratory mission also met with the National Assembly to ascertain the political, security and logistical conditions before deploying observers in the DRC. Christophe Mboso, President of the National Assembly, joined the delegation to explain the necessary conditions.
The political situation in the DRC is tense, with growing concerns about the safety of election observers. However, the EU is working to assess the risks and work with the Congolese government to ensure free and fair elections.
In this context of electoral preparation, the DRC is preparing to face the Panthers of Gabon during the CAN 2023. The Leopards RD face fierce competition to qualify for the next African Cup of Nations. Recent kidnappings of civilians and growing political tension in some parts of the country are creating a difficult situation for athletes.
Furthermore, the human rights situation in the DRC remains of concern, with incidents reported in recent months. However, there was a decrease in attacks in April, but there is still a long way to go.
Despite the challenges facing the DRC, the rehabilitation of the Kananga-Kalamba-Mbuji road is a flagship project for the development of the country. The Governor of Sankuru also worked with the First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly to discuss governance, security and development.
Finally, the history of the DRC continues to inspire, with the legacy of Patrice Lumumba who still embodies African sovereignty. However, there are also worrying signs of rising political violence, including a recent intrusion into the headquarters of the Mzee Laurent Désiré Kabila Foundation.
Amidst these challenges, the DRC is preparing to proudly host the 9th edition of the Games of La Francophonie in 2023, with bank payments for athletes and officials.
Despite the many obstacles, the DRC remains determined to develop and overcome the difficulties to ensure a prosperous future for its citizens.