Category: International

The East African Community has extended the status of forces agreement for six months, welcoming President Tshisekedi’s efforts to restore peace in eastern DRC, while calling on the regional force protect civilians and prevent violations of the ceasefire. The Heads of State also urged the DRC and South Sudan to resolve the issue of negative forces on their common border. Advances for security in the region are crucial in the context of the dynamics of citizens’ movements and the call for the release of political prisoners.

This article chronicles the evolution of recent months in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with a notable improvement in relations between the DRC and its neighbors, thanks to the efforts of President Félix Tshisekedi to defuse the conflict in eastern DRC. The President denounced the axis of evil embodied by Rwanda, broke with Kigali on certain partnership agreements and undertook an international tour to show that his country is fighting against the great economic powers of the world. Despite the war which is not over, there is good news for the DRC, with the organization of the fair for young Congolese entrepreneurs and the appointment of Julienne Lusenge as deputy coordinator of the national mechanism for monitoring the framework agreement of Addis Ababa in the DRC.

The summit of Heads of State of the East African Community was held in Bujumbura to discuss the security situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Heads of State ordered the regional force to visit and verify the suitability of the Rumangabo camp for the pre-cantonment of M23 and other armed groups. The purpose of this cantonment is to disarm and repatriate local armed groups occupying areas ceded by the M23 and foreign armed groups. The DRC has made significant progress on the political scene with the appointment of Julienne Lusenge as Deputy Coordinator of the National Mechanism for Monitoring the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement for the consolidation of peace in the country.

The article discusses the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the need for a quick and effective solution against the M23 rebel movement. The disarmament and demobilization process has been put in place in Rumangabo to guarantee the stability and security of the region. The Angolan President and the representative of the African Union in the DRC also support this process. The DRC has also developed a Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program to accelerate the reintegration of demobilized into society. The traceability of artisanal minerals and the establishment of special economic zones have also been proposed to ensure the stability of the region.

The Heads of State of the East African Community met in summit to discuss armed groups in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They offered to work with MONUSCO for the cantonment of armed groups, verifying the relevance of the Rumangabo camp for the pre-cantonment of M23. President Félix Tshisekedi had proposed that the town of Kindu serve as a place of retreat for the M23 terrorists. Despite guarantees from the Angolan President, political tensions in the DRC remain high. Other issues such as the low representation of women in the media or the rehabilitation of the international fair of Kinshasa highlight the challenges of the DRC to guarantee the stability and the socio-economic development of the country.

The article recounts the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women celebrated in the DRC on May 26, during which JDH presented a bill on the exemption of court fees for victims of violence based on gender. A bill in favor of this cause was adopted by the National Assembly and returned to the Senate for a second reading. The objective is to facilitate access to justice for women and young girls who are victims of sexual violence.

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, visited China to strengthen relations between the two countries, particularly in the field of security. He stressed that China can be an important partner in maintaining peace and security in his country, without taking sides in the conflicts in the region. China condemned acts of violence by armed groups and called for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states. The visit therefore made it possible to strengthen ties between the two countries and to identify a potential role for China in the search for peace in the DRC.

China and the Democratic Republic of Congo have just strengthened their relations thanks to the visit of the Congolese president to China. Several memorandums of understanding have been signed for cooperation that goes beyond natural resources and infrastructure. However, this relationship must be based on a fair and lasting partnership. The Congolese president hopes that this partnership will serve as an example for Africa. The resolution of past disputes, such as the cobalt dispute, is crucial to the success of this relationship. Finally, Sino-Congolese cooperation can become a symbol for the rest of Africa.