For several years, the conflict in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has continued to claim victims and arouse envy. While the Congolese armed forces announce the deployment of troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to support the fight against armed groups, the United States reiterated its call on Rwanda to withdraw its troops in support of M23 terrorists in several towns in the province of North Kivu.
Jean-Pierre Bemba, the Deputy Prime Minister of Defense revealed in a recent report the arrival of new Rwandan reinforcements in support of the M23, in several localities which they claim to have ceded to the EAC force. He also pointed out that RDF/M23 elements disguise themselves as self-defense militias in areas under the control of the EAC regional army.
Faced with the catastrophic humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, the United States has called for better coordination between the various stakeholders so that the rights of citizens and displaced persons are respected. The Rwandan army carried out several rotations in the village of Tchanzu while the RDF/M23 coalition abducted six people for an unknown destination, thus creating psychosis among the inhabitants of the region.
Yet there are encouraging signs. In Lubero territory, for example, 60 fighters have renounced violence, while the flagship factory in the Musienene special economic zone is now operational, giving new hope to the local economy. An agreement was also reached between the DRC and the World Bank for the continuation of key development projects.
However, the persistent insecurity in Lubumbashi has led the Justice and Peace Commission to call for an urgent investigation and appropriate solutions, while the credibility of the elections in question with the debates around the appointment of an international body to audit the electoral file. Finally, an international symposium highlighted the crucial role of constitutional justice in consolidating the rule of law and democracy in the DRC.
Despite these advances, the situation in eastern DRC remains fragile and the need for solutions to ensure peace and stability in the region is more pressing than ever.