Category: International

For more than two years, the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri have been under a state of siege to make the region safer, but the measure fails to address the problems of growing insecurity. The population criticizes this measure and the latest reports show that new fighting has been reported between the Wazalendo self-defense groups and the M23 in Rutshuru territory. The Congolese army also warned of the reinforcement of M23 terrorists by Rwandan soldiers. Faced with this situation, it is more necessary than ever to intensify efforts to establish lasting peace in the eastern region of the DRC.

Stay informed of current events in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) thanks to this selection of 8 blog articles. Discover the political tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, the alleged plot of the power in place, the cooperation with Congo Brazzaville, the disarmament program in the east of the country, a political attack in Kananga, the pre-electoral tensions, the economic cooperation with Angola and the fight against illicit financial flows. By reading these articles, you will be aware of the political, diplomatic and economic developments shaping the DRC.

The global food crisis intensifies with Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Ukraine, as a major supplier of foodstuffs, was severely affected by this decision, leading to a rise in world food prices. The Black Sea Grain Initiative aimed to restore Ukrainian agricultural exports and reduce world food prices. Russia’s withdrawal jeopardizes the supply of importing countries and also affects the World Food Programme. Already vulnerable populations are the most affected by this crisis, with unstable prices and limited food availability. It is urgent to find solutions to guarantee a stable and affordable supply for all.

In this article, titled “The people of South Kivu demand justice for the victims of the wars in the DRC”, we discuss the recent collective mourning that took place in Bukavu, where the inhabitants of the province expressed their indignation and their demand for justice in the face of the many massacres that have taken place in the region. The event, organized by the Congolese Coalition for Transitional Justice, aimed to highlight the need for effective reparation for the victims and for the prosecution of the perpetrators of these crimes.

We also highlight the importance of the application of the law on reparation, enacted last year but from which many victims have still not obtained justice. The inhabitants of South Kivu therefore call for the effective application of this law in order to guarantee adequate reparation for the victims and to prevent the repetition of these massacres.

We also underline the call of the inhabitants for the truth and the non-repetition of the massacres, as well as the commemoration of the day of the Congolese genocide initiated by President Félix Tshisekedi. This commemoration makes it possible to reconnect with history and to become aware of the crimes perpetrated in order to prevent such acts in the future.

We also focus on the victims of the massacres in Kasika, Mutarule, Kavumu and Makobola, and stress the need to raise national and international public awareness of the crimes perpetrated in the DRC for many decades.

In conclusion, we underline that the collective mourning in memory of the victims of the wars in the DRC and the demand for justice of the population of South Kivu are strong calls to end impunity and guarantee adequate reparation for the victims of the massacres. . By raising public awareness, we contribute to paying tribute to the victims and to fighting against the persistent impunity in the DRC.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix is ​​visiting Bunia, Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of Congo – a region that has been plagued by a security crisis for years. The objective of this visit is to discuss the measures that the United Nations could take to help the thousands of displaced people fleeing abuses in the region. More than one million six hundred thousand people are currently displaced in Ituri and live in precarious humanitarian conditions. During his visit, Jean-Pierre Lacroix will meet several Congolese officials and visit a site for displaced people in the Djugu region to hear the situation of the civilian population and make proposals.

North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing alarming insecurity, particularly in the territory of Rutshuru where armed groups, such as the M23 supported by the Rwandan army, threaten the population and seem to be expanding. The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo are on alert in the face of this worrying situation. The Rwenzori region is also affected by insecurity, with six jihadists recently killed in clashes with the army. Despite the presence of the EAC regional force and compliance with the Luanda and Nairobi agreements, the security of the population is threatened. The authorities of the province of Lituri seek to contain this insecurity which endangers the population and encourages the voluntary repatriation of refugees.

The Congolese President, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, presented the certificates to the auditors of CHESD and ESAM during a ceremony marked by the presence of the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadera. The latter underlined the security challenges in Africa and the need for regional cooperation to deal with them. The Congolese Minister of Defense praised the efforts of President Tshisekedi in strengthening defense capacities in the DRC and CAR. This initiative demonstrates the importance given to training and cooperation between African countries to deal with common security threats.

On the evening of Thursday August 3, 2023, Kiseguro, a small town in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was the scene of an exchange of fire between two armed groups, the FDLR and the Wazalendo of the CMC. This incident caused the death of a civilian and many injuries among the combatants and the civilian population. The exact reasons for this confrontation remain unclear, but dissension between the two groups is mentioned. Since then, the population has lived in fear of new violence and all activities have been paralyzed. The authorities are trying to bring stability and security to the region by strengthening surveillance and starting negotiations. It is crucial to act quickly to avoid further violence and to protect the lives of the inhabitants of Kiseguro.

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) has supported the Congolese government’s initiative to accelerate the Disarmament, Demobilization and Community Reintegration and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS). The 10th extraordinary summit of the sub-regional organization also called for the reopening of access roads and requested the support of humanitarian agencies for the care of internally displaced people in the eastern region. Ministers from neighboring countries have been appointed to assess progress in the implementation of commitments relating to the pacification of the Eastern region. Faced with the situation of persistent insecurity, the Electoral Commission retained the seats obtained during the previous elections for the territories of Rutshuru and Masisi in order to allow the enrollment of the populations later. Finally, the deployment of the SADC intervention force aims to strengthen security in the region.

The land dispute between the Teke and the Yaka has created a militia called “Mobondo” in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been spreading terror for a year and has killed more than 300 people. The central government is trying to deal with it by strengthening security measures and accusing political figures of supporting the militia. Crime is also rampant in the country, particularly in Kinshasa, and the international community is involved in the search for solutions. The situation is complex and requires the cooperation of all stakeholders to achieve peace and stability.