The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), represented by Judith Suminwa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, participated in the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (ADB) in Egypt. In this meeting of members of the Board of Governors of the AfDB, Ms. Suminwa praised the efforts to fight against climate change that the DRC and the countries of the Congo Basin have undertaken, in particular the preservation of the tropical forest. Judith Suminwa also recalled that thanks to its natural resources, the DRC was able to contribute to the energy transition. The Minister indeed underlined that the DRC possessed several strategic substances, such as Cobalt (62% of world reserves), coltan and titanium, which could help in the production of electric batteries and other green innovations. The Minister also stressed the need for good governance of forests and minerals for exploitation in accordance with the principle of sustainable development and to promote peace. In addition, Judith Suminwa pleaded for more mobilization of financing and technical assistance for sustainable forest management and to finance the DRC’s determined contribution at the national level in favor of renewable energies. In short, the DRC is committed to a policy of sustainable development and seeks to make the most of its natural resources to contribute to the development of its people.
In one of our recent articles, we reported that the DRC was on high alert for the terrorist threat and that Rwandan troops were stepping up their attacks in the Great Lakes region. This situation is worrying because the DRC is already facing economic and social challenges in a context of political tensions. However, despite these challenges, the DRC remains a country rich in natural resources and has the potential to contribute positively to the sustainable development of Africa. Furthermore, the DRC strives to find a balance between national security and respect for human rights. Local authorities recently arrested Salomon Kalonda Della, former adviser to President Félix Tshisekedi, for undermining state security. This arrest raises questions about the balance between security and human rights in the DRC.
In terms of economic development, the Sino-Congolese partnership is attracting growing interest. This partnership is considered a model of cooperation for sustainable development in Africa. China and the DRC cooperate closely in many sectors, including infrastructure, trade and investment. The Congolese authorities hope that these cooperative relations will translate into real improvements for the people of the DRC, especially economically..
In sum, the DRC faces many challenges in terms of security, governance, economic and social development, but it also has many opportunities to work with international partners and make the most of its natural resources. The AfDB Annual Meetings were an important opportunity to present the DRC’s development prospects and strengthen its relations with its international partners.