The former vice-president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Pierre Bemba, recently visited Indonesia to discuss military cooperation and exchanges of expertise between the two countries. This visit took place at a time when the military expenditure of the DRC has increased considerably in recent months, and the UN still considers that the situation in the DRC constitutes a threat to international peace and security. Mr. Bemba’s visit to Indonesia may raise questions about the future of security and stability in the region, particularly on the military level.

RC Mont-Amba picked up an important win on Round 36 of EUFKIN-Lipopo Division 3/A in the Democratic Republic of Congo with a 44th-minute goal from Kadima Doris. The coach of the losing team regretted the lack of physical commitment of his players, while the coach of the winners was pleased with the performance of his team despite some defensive errors. This victory reinforces the hopes of the rise of the team in higher divisions. Beyond sporting results, football continues to arouse passion and pride in the DRC.

Entente Urbaine de Football de Kinshasa (EUFKIN)-Kilimani had some exciting matches, especially the split between CLM and Matete with a 0-0 draw. FC Patronage, RC Golf, Tregim, Dynakin, God Win Team, Kin-United-Martelie, Système-Makis Sport, Marseille and Ndembo Foot also had different results. In Division III/B, Nouvel Espoir was upset by Royal King, while AS Winner picked up a comfortable victory against New Jouvence. ERA Congo covered state exam costs for 1,511 students, while a proposed ‘congolity’ law was introduced to strengthen sovereignty in the DRC. The floods have killed more than 400 people in the south of the country, also causing disruption during exams.

The road section Camp 6 roundabout Butwa de Kamituga is the subject of backfilling works financed by the town hall and carried out by the Chinese company ORC. The NGO Médecins Sans Frontières warns of sexual violence in the east of the country, particularly involving children. Deadly floods in South Kivu claimed the lives of more than 400 people and disrupted exam tests. Despite everything, progress has been noted in the preparation of the elections in the DRC with the establishment of an EU electoral observation mission. There is an urgent need to act in the face of the challenges facing the DRC.

The article discusses the reduction of financial barriers to state exams in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The organization ERA Congo supported the costs of state exams for 1,511 students in eight test centers in the province of Maï Ndombe. Other provinces also provide out-of-session exams for baccalaureate candidates. The country plans to increase allocations for education and health in its national budget for 2023.

A land dispute between the communities of Lengola and Mbole has caused the death of several people and caused extensive material damage in Kisangani in the province of Tshopo in the DRC. The Conference of Base Community Presidents (CPCB) has decided to take matters into their own hands to bring peace between the two communities, by taking steps to find a community solution through the leaders of the two communities. The DRC is experiencing other considerable challenges such as abuses by armed groups, catastrophic floods in South Kivu which caused the death of more than 400 people, students who were forced to flee their homes to take their baccalaureate, situations of emergency occurring regularly. Positive initiatives are nevertheless emerging to support the Congolese people and build a better future.

An article by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) notes a significant increase in sexual violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 670 people were treated by local MSF, including an average of 48 new victims per day. The violence is perpetrated mainly by armed men and mainly targets women. The situation is explained by the lack of sufficient humanitarian aid to meet the needs of the displaced populations, more than a million having fled their villages. MSF strongly denounced the insufficiency of humanitarian aid on the spot and called for an urgent intervention.

The article discusses the proposed Congolese law, which aims to limit access to certain positions in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Congolese with Congolese fathers and mothers of Congolese origin. The author, a former Minister, agrees with the spirit of the proposal but stresses that it must apply to all positions, not just top positions, and be implemented in an inclusive manner. He also insists on the importance of guaranteeing the absolute loyalty of the leaders of the territorial security and national defense sector. Ultimately, the law aims to consolidate the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo and allow all Congolese to feel represented and protected.

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is back in the news after President Félix Tshisekedi raised concerns about cohabitation between regional troops from East Africa and rebel groups in the region. . To stabilize this region, which has been plagued by conflict since the 1990s, East Africa has deployed a regional military force. However, cohabitations have been noted between the rebel groups and the regional force, threatening the stabilization mission. The Congolese president has therefore warned that he could dismiss the force if the mandates are not fulfilled by the end of June. The presence of foreign troops in a sensitive region is questioned.