When a country’s political eminence travels to participate in an international assembly of this magnitude, the stakes are multiple and the expectations numerous. This is the case of the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, currently visiting New York for the 79th General Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the United Nations. This annual meeting is of capital importance for the DRC, which sees this platform as an opportunity to strengthen its visibility on the international scene and to defend its interests.
At the heart of the discussions is the question of the DRC’s candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council. For the first time, the United States seems in favor of expanding the Security Council by including two African countries without the right of veto, which would constitute a significant step forward for the continent’s representation on the international scene. The candidacy of the DRC, as the largest French-speaking country in the world and a major player in the fight against global warming, is therefore legitimate and arouses the interest of UN members.
In addition to this candidacy for the Security Council, the DRC is also awaiting election to the UN Human Rights Council, which will take place on October 9, 2024. This dual diplomatic challenge underlines the importance given by the Congolese government to issues of law, justice and respect for human rights at the international level. A successful election would strengthen the legitimacy of the DRC in these areas and would allow it to work effectively to promote human rights on a global scale.
President Tshisekedi’s speech, scheduled for September 25, 2024, will therefore be closely scrutinized by the international community. Beyond the diplomatic issues, this speech will be an opportunity for the Congolese Head of State to present his vision for the future of the DRC, to highlight the challenges the country is facing and the reforms undertaken to address them. It is therefore a key moment for Félix Tshisekedi to make an impression and assert the DRC’s position on the international scene.
In short, President Tshisekedi’s participation in the United Nations General Assembly is an opportunity for the DRC to make its voice heard, defend its interests and strengthen its legitimacy on the international scene. Beyond the diplomatic debates and negotiations, it is also an opportunity for the country to shine and assert its role as a leader in Africa and the world.