Prime Minister Judith Suminwa’s recent speech at the Rebranding Africa Forum in Brussels highlighted a significant breakthrough in the discussions for the return of peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Indeed, the news that Rwanda has agreed to present a plan to withdraw more than 4,000 of its soldiers deployed in the DRC marks a turning point in the resolution of the conflict between these two neighboring countries.
This diplomatic approach, which aims to strengthen the Congolese national army (FARDC) while pursuing a negotiation strategy, is commendable. Judith Suminwa has clearly expressed her government’s willingness to defend Congolese territory while actively working to establish peace in the region. This approach, which combines military force with diplomacy, seems to be the key to achieving a lasting resolution of the conflict.
It is crucial to note that the DRC has also stepped up its efforts to neutralize the FDLR militia, key players in the conflict in the region for many years. Judith Suminwa’s approach to highlight the criminal activities of the Rwandan army in the DRC, supported by UN reports, reinforces the legitimacy of the Congolese position in these negotiations.
The involvement of Western chancelleries in condemning Rwanda’s actions in the DRC underlines the importance of the international community in resolving this conflict. It is essential that the DRC’s neighboring countries respect the territorial integrity of this country and actively engage in actions for peace and regional collaboration.
In conclusion, Judith Suminwa’s strategy, combining military force and diplomacy, offers real prospects for resolving the conflict in eastern DRC. It is urgent that all stakeholders fully engage in this process to establish lasting peace in the region and finally enable the socio-economic development so long awaited by local populations.