The Attorney General of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, recently began a six-hour mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He traveled to the province of Ituri, in the northeast of the DRC, to investigate cases of crimes against humanity documented since the 2000s. The province of Ituri is plagued by Insecurity for decades, armed groups regularly commit acts of violence. Local authorities presented the ICC prosecutor with documentation of crimes committed in this part of the country.
In this province already in difficulty, the carriers’ strike caused disruptions in the sector of transport of goods to the former eastern province. The security situation is increasingly fragile in this part of the DRC. The common front for the Congo recently sounded the alarm on the situation.
The Congolese government has called on the ICC prosecutor to take personal account of the crimes committed mainly in the eastern part of the country for more than two decades. Prosecutor Karim Khan has promised an exchange with Félix Tshisekedi, President of the DRC, to consider solutions to stop this cycle of violence.
Outside the province of Ituri, other subjects preoccupy the Congolese population such as the assassination of a finalist which provoked the mobilization of many citizens. The soldier responsible for the death of this student was arrested and brought to justice, thus satisfying the demands of the population.
The East African community also discussed the security situation in eastern DRC at an extraordinary summit of heads of state. A proposed solution to pacify the region is the creation of special economic zones that would accelerate socio-economic development and reduce poverty in this region.
Finally, an inspiring initiative for young Congolese is “Le salon des jeunes entrepreneurs congolais”. This platform offers an opportunity for young people to present their innovative projects and receive advice and funding to make their dreams come true.
The DRC faces many challenges, particularly in terms of security and development. However, these initiatives and actions are encouraging signs for the future of the country.