** The Democratic Republic of Congo, a plea for its voice to the UN Security Council: Analyzes and reflections **
Ottawa, on May 29, 2025. In an ever more complex international context, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) tried to make its voice heard by expressing its desire to sit as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. This speech, carried out by Thérèse Kayikwamba, Minister of State in charge of Foreign Affairs, raises crucial questions about the role of Africa in international bodies and on the way in which the international community can respond to the contemporary challenges of peace and security.
### An application rooted in a local and global reality
The candidacy of the DRC is not limited to a simple political ambition. Indeed, it is based on four priorities which reflect not only local aspirations, but also a vision for the future of the African continent. The DRC wishes to enrich the debates on international peace and security, to reform peace operations, and to promote the justice of human rights, democracy, as well as an agenda oriented towards women and young people. This multi-facet approach demonstrates a desire to engage on crucial themes, which affect both the legitimacy of a country in search of recognition on the world scene and the need for collective action to meet the common challenges.
It is interesting to note that the DRC is based on its experience in the construction of peace to justify its candidacy. The country has experienced serious internal conflicts, and its will to transformation post-conflict could offer a powerful story concerning the ways towards a peaceful resolution of disputes on an international scale. Could the solid basis of such a candidacy be an asset to embody the realities that other countries in conflict must face?
### The role of Africa in global architecture changing
The intervention of Souriya Otmani, ambassador of Morocco to Canada, highlights a broader aspect: that of the will of the African continent to strengthen its presence within the decision-making bodies of the United Nations. This approach raises questions about the place of Africa in global governance. Historically underrepresented, Africa aspires to make its priorities heard and play a preponderant role in the development of global solutions.
The stakes are high: while global challenges such as climate change, forced migration and food security are gaining momentum, how can African nations collaborate to weigh in global debates? And in what way the DRC, if elected, could positively impact dialogue around these issues, while expressing the specificities of its own historical journey?
### A candidacy that requires reflection and commitment
The DRC is not content to request a seat; It offers a partnership, a collaboration that would enrich the world agenda on questions of peace and security. This leads us to question the type of leadership that the DRC can offer within the Council and how this voice could influence the decisions taken internationally.
However, this ambition must be put into perspective with the many difficulties that the DRC is faced. Internal governance challenges, human rights concerns, and persistent tensions in certain regions of the country pose legitimate questions about the government’s ability to resonate a peaceful message. Can the internal situation really support a strong and constructive voice within the Security Council?
### A plea for peace, but also for listening
The candidacy of the DRC also opens a broader debate on the role that states must play in the international community. It is not only a question of obtaining a status or a power, but also of assuming a collective responsibility to build a peaceful future. Multilateralism, as Ms. Kayikwamba pointed out, is a central element in this approach. Could this dynamic of dialogue, mutual understanding and co-development make it possible to reduce the fractures that exist within the international community?
In conclusion, the candidacy of the Democratic Republic of Congo for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council is an initiative that deserves to be observed with attention. It evokes fundamental themes concerning the engagement of the African continent on the world scene and questions the mechanisms which could promote a fair sharing of responsibilities. Beyond the ambitions, it is the desire to lay the foundations for a constructive dialogue which will be essential to advance collective peace and security agendas. The question remains: will the global actors manage to hear the voices that rise from the heart of Africa?