The issues at stake in the meeting between André Mbata and a delegation from the American Congress
On Tuesday August 22, 2023, an important meeting took place between André Mbata, 1st vice-president of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a delegation from the American Congress led by the US Ambassador to Kinshasa, Lucy Tamlyn . The main objective of this meeting was to discuss the security situation in the east of the country, particularly with regard to Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebellion.
André Mbata expressed his desire to see sanctions taken against Rwanda in order to put an end to its involvement in the barbaric aggression raging in eastern DRC. He stressed that this aggression prevents the country from fully playing its role in the development of Africa and the world. He therefore requested the support of American parliamentarians to put pressure on Rwanda and put an end to this worrying situation.
For his part, John James, Republican deputy from the state of Michigan, focused on the issue of human rights violations in the eastern DRC. He stressed the importance of guaranteeing respect for these rights, as well as the good management of the country’s mineral resources for the benefit of the Congolese population. The US congressional delegation also pledged to support efforts to ensure free, transparent and credible elections were held within constitutional deadlines.
This meeting demonstrates the importance of cooperation between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States to address security challenges and human rights violations in the Eastern region. It also highlights the need to take concrete measures to end Rwanda’s involvement in this situation. Diplomacy and international pressure can play a key role in resolving this conflict and promoting peace and security in the region.
It is hoped that this meeting will bear fruit and that concrete actions will be taken to put an end to the aggression of the M23 rebellion and guarantee a safer and more prosperous future for the Democratic Republic of Congo and its population. International cooperation is essential to overcome the challenges facing the country and enable its economic and social development.