The National Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, recently paid a working visit to the city of Goma, located in North Kivu. This visit comes in a difficult context, while the province is in the throes of war, particularly against the M23, considered to be supported by the Rwandan government.
Minister Bemba arrived accompanied by the Chief of General Staff of the FARDC and was welcomed by the military governor of the province, as well as members of his political party, the MLC. During a press conference, Jean-Pierre Bemba called on the Congolese people to support the country’s institutions, including the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which are fighting day and night against the enemies of the DRC.
President Félix Tshisekedi’s vision for peace was also highlighted, with a call for armed groups to lay down their arms and contribute to the search for peace.
This visit also marks the first working mission in North Kivu province for Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, since his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
However, the war continues to rage in the region, with a particularly worrying situation in the territories of Rutshuru, Masisi and in part of Nyiragongo. This visit by the National Minister of Defense recalls the importance of security and peace in this region, where the population is unfortunately often the victim of armed conflicts.
Let’s hope that the joint calls for peace and institutional support will bear fruit, for a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of North Kivu and all of the Democratic Republic of Congo.