“The issue of the presence of Rwandan troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was recently raised at a meeting of the UN Security Council by the representative of the DRC, Zénon Mukongo. This Congolese diplomat strongly recommended the withdrawal of Rwandan soldiers from Congolese territory before any dialogue between the two countries, affirming that this military presence constitutes a serious violation of the United Nations charter and the constitutive act of the African Union.
According to Zénon Mukongo, the presence of 3 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers in the territories of Nyirangongo, Rutshuru and Masisi in North Kivu represents a major obstacle to discussions and seriously compromises peace efforts in the region. He also warned against the failure to respect the commitments made by the Rwandan authorities and their distrust of the UN.
To foster a lasting solution and promote peace, the DRC representative called on the UN Security Council to act. He asked the latter to put in place a sanctions regime against Rwanda and to sanction anyone involved in the aggression of the DRC. In addition, he requested logistical support from MONUSCO for SAMIRDC, in order to strengthen security measures in the region.
This intervention by Zénon Mukongo once again reveals the persistent tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, and underlines the urgency of a peaceful and lasting resolution of this conflict. It is essential that the two countries engage in constructive and respectful dialogue to find solutions to the security challenges that threaten the stability of the region.
In conclusion, the situation in the DRC and Rwanda requires particular attention from the international community. It is imperative that the UN Security Council take concrete measures to promote the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and encourage a process of dialogue and reconciliation between the two countries. Only concerted efforts and strong political will can guarantee lasting peace in the region.”