the citizen's blog
In the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo, five people were killed in an attack led by militiamen from the Yaka community. The communal conflict with the Teke has caused the death of more than 300 people since June 2022. Clashes continue in the provinces of Kwango and Kinshasa, resulting in a humanitarian crisis. The international community is called upon to act to put an end to the violence.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo launched a new spade against the regime in place during a pastoral visit to the diocese of Popokabaka in the DRC. He called for an end to political violence and warned of the difficulties experienced by local populations. The DRC renews its confidence in the Community of East African States for economic development and regional security, despite Rwandan aggression. The humanitarian crisis in the DRC requires urgent mobilization to meet the growing needs of displaced populations. Michela Wrong’s book reveals the alleged involvement of Rwanda’s intelligence services in the assassination of Patrick Karegeya, in exile in South Africa.
Kinshasa’s police chief banned a meeting of the presidential party on the pretext of growing insecurity in the east of the city. This decision provoked protests from the opposition who cried out about the violation of the freedom to demonstrate. The general warned that any gathering of more than 20 people would be dispersed. This worrying situation underlines the importance of strengthening security measures to protect the population and the fundamental rights of citizens.
The NGO IPAS led a campaign to provide sexual and reproductive health care to displaced women in Bulengo, in the Goma region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative has enabled displaced women to understand the importance of family planning and contraceptives for their health, and to benefit from hygiene and dignity kits to guarantee their well-being. The campaign was a success, with more than 2,000 people treated, and helped popularize the Maputo Protocol and provide quality health care in accordance with national laws.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, visited the Jwaneng mine in Botswana to learn from the Botswana model to reorganize the diamond industry in his country. He also visited the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and reassured the Congolese population on maintaining peace in eastern DRC. The military cooperation agreement with Indonesia will also contribute to strengthening security in the DRC.
The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to worsen, prompting the UN to issue an urgent appeal to come to the aid of the populations of North Kivu and Ituri. Nearly a million people have been displaced in one year, and the need for humanitarian aid has exploded. The Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General calls for international mobilization to respond to this crisis and emphasizes the importance of better coordination and increased financial resources. The humanitarian response in the DRC is currently only 50% funded, so it is crucial to mobilize more resources to meet the growing needs.
Author Michela Wrong presented her book “Rwanda, assassin sans frontières” at the University of Kinshasa, telling the story of the assassinated opponent Patrick Karegeya on the orders of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The students asked questions about the author’s safety and her relationship with the UK. Michela Wrong highlighted the lack of freedom and transparency in the country, the cheating in the elections and the strong support of Western governments for Kagame. Although Congolese politics have made significant changes in recent years, freedom of expression and political transparency remain fragile.
The New Congolese Civil Society (NSCC) has warned of insecurity in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reporting that 14 civilians have been abducted by Ugandan rebels from the Democratic and Allied Forces (ADF), 5 of whom are believed to have lost their lives. Local authorities are called upon to strengthen security while the international community must support the peace efforts of the Congolese government. In this context, President Félix Tshisekedi recently visited Botswana to reassure his compatriots about peace in eastern DRC and a military cooperation agreement with Indonesia was signed. Despite the challenges facing the DRC, it continues its struggle for peace and security for its inhabitants.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has promised to impose peace in the east of the country thanks to the defense system under construction. He also criticized the inaction of the EAC regional force and stressed the importance of local processing of natural resources to create wealth and jobs. Félix Tshisekedi inaugurated the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Botswana and reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between African countries.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia signed a letter of intent in Jakarta for the promotion and development of defense cooperation activities. This cooperation will notably allow exchanges of civil servants and experts in the field, cooperation in education and training and the development of the defense industry. This strategic advance will also allow the DRC to strengthen its defense capacity and protect its sovereignty. This cooperation can also be an opportunity for the DRC to diversify its partnerships with major global players in the defense industry.