Fatshimétrie: Security situation in the DRC in 2024
Fatshimétrie: The security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2024
In his annual State of the Nation address to both Houses of Parliament meeting in Congress, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi addressed the persistent challenges facing the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite notable progress in various sectors such as the economy and finance, the Head of State stressed that the security issue remains a major challenge.
Insurgents, including the Rwandan army and M23 terrorists, continue to sow instability in the territories of Rutshuru, Masisi, Nyiragongo and Lubero, leading to massive population displacement. Nearly 7 million Congolese now live far from home, placing the DRC among the countries most affected by this humanitarian crisis.
Despite these challenges, Félix Tshisekedi reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the affected populations and commended the efforts of the Congolese armed forces as well as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for pushing back the advances of the M23 rebels. He also stressed the importance of operationalizing the law on military programming to strengthen the effectiveness of the armed forces.
The President denounced the attempts to depopulate certain areas controlled by the M23 and the installation of foreign populations orchestrated by Rwanda, describing this practice as a threat to national sovereignty. He also confirmed that an assessment of the state of siege in force in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri was underway.
Despite diplomatic and military efforts, the security situation remains worrying, with the M23 extending its control over key territories in North Kivu. Calls for a ceasefire and negotiations are struggling to achieve a lasting resolution to the crisis. A tripartite summit is planned in the coming days to restart discussions and find a peaceful solution to this persistent conflict.
In conclusion, the deterioration of the security situation in the DRC remains a major challenge, despite the efforts made by the government and the international community. It is crucial to continue working together to find lasting solutions and ensure the stability and security of the affected populations.