UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix visited the DRC and met with Angolan President João Lourenço to discuss the two countries’ joint efforts to promote peace and security in eastern DRC. They also discussed the possibility of a deployment of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) to oversee the cantonment of members of the M23 armed group. This initiative is considered to be very positive for the efforts of pacification of the DRC.
Category: International
The regional force of the East African Community on a mission in North Kivu in the DRC has had its mandate renewed until September 2023 despite criticism from Kinshasa. EAC member states hailed the force’s achievements in restoring peace and security in the region. However, Kinshasa continues to denounce the cohabitation of the military force with the M23 terrorists it is supposed to fight. Congolese deputies believe that their presence risks becoming unnecessarily expensive and requires a cold assessment. M23 terrorists continue to build up their numbers in areas controlled by the regional force.
The family of a former Congolese minister, Chérubin Okende, demands the truth about his assassination. They refuse a hasty autopsy and ask for the presence of independent experts. They also dispute the Attorney General’s statements and call for a transparent and fair investigation, respecting the presumption of innocence. This case raises questions about Congolese justice and requires the collaboration of MONUSCO and partner countries to shed light on the circumstances of the death of Chérubin Okende.
The extraordinary summit of the East African Community was held in Bujumbura to discuss the security situation in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The EAC Heads of State strongly condemned the continued violations of the ceasefire, urged their regional force to maintain the areas emptied by M23 terrorists and other armed groups and to protect civilians. However, the Congolese government and its army challenge this view of the EAC by denouncing the Rwandan army and its proxies, who are trying to reoccupy their former positions. The situation remains very worrying and needs to be closely monitored.
A soldier was arrested after murdering a finalist student in Bunyuka, North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The reasons for his act are not yet known, but his arrest is a significant step forward in the fight against this type of criminal behavior. However, the spokesman of the army deplored popular justice exercised against a member of FARDC, and informed that the author who provoked the population will also be punished. This tragic event underlines the need to strengthen the rule of law and the security of citizens, which should be a priority for the Congolese armed forces.
The rehabilitation project for the International Fair of Kinshasa (Fikin) is in the process of being stopped. The Turkish company Milvet, in charge of the works, requires the use of a space of 6 hectares to build their headquarters there in exchange for a rent of 60,000 American dollars per month. In the event of a delay in the work, the company also plans to purchase this space for a period of 10 years. Although work has begun, the Turks are said to have exceeded the terms of their initial contract. The Congolese authorities must reach an agreement with the Turks to avoid the definitive stoppage of the rehabilitation works.
The summary of the article is as follows: During the 21st Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the EAC, the DRC opposed the integration of M23 in the pre-cantonment verification team and demanded an assessment of the presence of the EAC contingent next June. The summit recommended close collaboration between Monusco and the regional force to promote the pre-cantonment phase of M23 troops. The security situation remained precarious and the fight against impunity in the DRC is still ongoing with the ICC active in the province of Lituri where serious crimes have been committed.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, travels to the Democratic Republic of Congo to discuss the Luanda Roadmap aimed at pacifying the country. During his visit, he plans to deploy Angolan armed forces to oversee the quartering of the armed group M-23. The United Nations declares itself available to help establish the necessary conditions for the deployment of the armed forces. This visit by the Under-Secretary-General demonstrates the UN’s commitment to supporting the DRC in its quest for peace and stability.
This article addresses the precarious situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo despite the efforts of the East African Community. Heads of state gathered to condemn ceasefire violations and order action to protect civilians and areas affected by the violence. Despite this, the Congolese government denounces the arrival of Rwandan troops who support the M23 terrorists. This fragile security situation is a concern for various actors who propose economic solutions to pacify the areas affected by the conflicts. Fatshi Metrie’s blog presents these different points to better understand the challenges of the situation in the DRC.
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