Round table on the state of siege in eastern DRC: Towards crucial decisions for peace and security
The work of the Round Table on the state of siege in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri ended this Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Chaired by Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde and closed by President Félix Tshisekedi , this meeting brought together various actors from the institutions, the provinces of the country, the active forces and the military governors of the regions concerned.
For three days, the participants worked within three commissions to analyze the various options concerning the lifting, the requalification or the maintenance of the state of siege. These commissions formulated several recommendations which were presented in a report submitted to the President of the Republic.
Prime Minister Sama Lukonde praised the work accomplished during this round table and expressed his gratitude to all participants. He undertook to transmit the final report to President Tshisekedi, who will take the appropriate directives.
Since his accession to the presidency, Felix Tshisekedi has been committed to finding a lasting solution to the insecurity raging in the east of the country. The provinces of North Kivu and Ituri are regularly affected by attacks by Rwanda and local armed groups, which has disastrous consequences on all aspects of daily life.
It is in this context that President Tshisekedi declared a state of siege in May 2021, with the aim of restoring security and restoring peace in these regions. Since then, the government has worked tirelessly to implement the measures related to the state of siege.
Through this round table, President Tshisekedi wanted to assess the progress made so far and the challenges that remain to be faced. The ultimate goal is to give hope to the people of eastern DRC, who yearn for peace and security.
The decisions taken at the end of this round table will have a significant impact on the situation in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. This is a crucial moment for peace and security in this region, and the entire population is eagerly awaiting President Tshisekedi’s guidance.
In conclusion, the round table on the state of siege in eastern DRC marks an important step in the quest for peace and stability. The recommendations resulting from this meeting should guide future political decisions, in order to create an environment conducive to the development and well-being of the populations of these regions. President Tshisekedi’s determination to resolve this complex situation is commendable and demonstrates his willingness to put the people at the forefront of his concerns