Title: “The strategic meeting between President Tshisekedi and the armed forces of the DRC: a common determination to guarantee peace”
Introduction :
The security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains worrying, particularly in the Kivu provinces. Faced with this continued deterioration, President Félix Tshisekedi brought together officers of the armed forces at the palace of the African Union city in Kinshasa for a strategic meal. The objective: to raise awareness among the troops and strengthen determination to restore peace in the country. This meeting marks a strong commitment by President Tshisekedi to combat insecurity and guarantee the territorial integrity of the DRC.
The threat of balkanization and security issues:
President Tshisekedi underlined the importance of the current situation, marked by the persistent presence of local and foreign armed groups as well as attacks by neighboring countries seeking to expand their influence and economic interests. He revealed the existence of flaws within the DRC’s defense and security system, highlighting the challenges facing the country. The Head of State affirmed his firm conviction that the enemies of the DRC will not succeed in achieving their objective of balkanization of the country.
Reforms initiated to restore lasting peace:
To fulfill his campaign promise to restore state authority in the eastern part of the country, President Tshisekedi has implemented reforms within the armed forces. The promulgation of the Military Programming Law in August 2022 is a concrete example. This law establishes the operation and budget of the Army over a period of four years, giving priority to the development and equipment of the defense forces. In addition, thousands of young people are being trained and will soon be deployed to the front lines, thus strengthening the operational capacity of the Congolese army.
The determination of President Tshisekedi and the mobilization of the armed forces:
In his speech, President Tshisekedi called on the armed forces to stand behind him, stressing that their active participation was essential to achieve the long-awaited goal of peace. He expressed confidence in the ability of the armed forces to win this fight and promised to bring them victory. This determination of the President and his desire to defend the territorial integrity of the DRC were underlined, particularly in a context where the risk of direct confrontation with Rwanda remains real.
Conclusion :
The strategic meeting between President Tshisekedi and the armed forces of the DRC demonstrates the common determination to restore peace in the country. The security challenges are immense, but President Tshisekedi is implementing reforms and mobilizing troops to guarantee the integrity of the DRC and the security of its citizens. It now remains to materialize these initiatives on the ground and continue efforts to achieve lasting peace. The international community must also support the actions of the DRC in its fight against insecurity and the balkanization of the country.