Title: The meeting between President Tshisekedi and the Belgian Prime Minister: a crucial dialogue on the elections and stability in the DRC
Introduction: The meeting between President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo took place on September 20, 2023 in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. This meeting is of capital importance, because it allows us to take stock of the current electoral process as well as the security challenges facing the country. This article reviews the main topics discussed during this crucial meeting.
Elections and the electoral agenda: General elections, including legislative and presidential elections, are scheduled for December 20, 2023 in the DRC. However, several events disrupted the electoral process, such as the incursion of the M23 rebel group in the east of the country, the establishment of martial law in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, as well as acts intimidation, targeted assassinations and arbitrary detentions against candidates and their entourages. Despite these challenges, the Belgian Prime Minister stresses that the elections should take place as planned, because people’s expectations are high. He insists that ideal conditions will never be met, but that it is important to respect the electoral calendar.
The importance of international observation: Good news to guarantee the credibility and transparency of the elections is the acceptance by the DRC of the principle of a European Union observation mission. The presence of international observers is essential to ensure the smooth running of the electoral process and to prevent any irregularity. This decision demonstrates the Congolese government’s commitment to ensuring democratic elections open to the participation of all.
The security issue in the east of the country: The Belgian Prime Minister underlines that the situation in the east of the DRC, particularly in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, is complex and requires an approach that goes to the beyond the military dimension. He also plans a meeting with Rwanda, in order to find peaceful and lasting solutions to regional tensions. Security stability is an essential prerequisite for ensuring peaceful elections and stable governance.
Conclusion: The meeting between President Tshisekedi and the Belgian Prime Minister made it possible to address crucial issues for the future of the DRC. Elections scheduled for December 2023 remain a major focus, despite the challenges facing the country. The transparency of the electoral process and security stability are key factors to guarantee the legitimacy of the government and promote the development of the Congolese nation.. The international community continues to closely monitor developments in the DRC and remains committed to supporting the country in its quest for democracy and prosperity.