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.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is in tension with the East African Community regional force due to differences over the mandate and mission of the regional force deployed in the east of the country. However, this tension does not call into question the membership of the DRC in this sub-regional organization. The benefits that the DRC can derive from its membership include the enlargement of the market combined with the admission of French as an official language, which will offer new economic prospects. The DRC also appealed to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to settle security issues in the east of the country, but also gave a second chance to the regional force of the Southern African Community. the east to play an important role in countering the activism of local and foreign armed groups as well as terrorists in the east. The DRC also faces other challenges including deadly floods, increasing sexual violence, a corn flour crisis and economic stimulus, but the Congolese government is actively working to address these.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has renewed its confidence in the Community of East African States (EAC) to facilitate cross-border trade and the free movement of goods and people. The accession of the DRC to the EAC was announced by the Congolese Head of State, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi. However, the country is facing aggression from Rwanda currently. The Congolese President is optimistic about the commitment of the Congolese Armed Forces and the SADC Military Force to end this crisis.