Rwandan President Paul Kagame reportedly welcomed the decision of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to declare a state of siege in its eastern part where insecurity is in full swing due to the presence of numerous armed groups.
This is what he told his Congolese counterpart on Monday, May 17, during a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of the International Summit on the financing of African economies which opened this Tuesday in France.
“We welcome this initiative taken by the DRC authorities and we will do what we can to make it successful. We will also be alongside the DRC for all the initiatives put in place to strengthen security in the east of its territory, which borders our country, ”Kagame said, according to a press release from the presidency’s communication unit. Congolese.
“We can only support,” continued the Rwandan leader, “everything that, in terms of security but also economically, helps to stabilize and pacify the African sub-region of the great lakes. It is a necessity for the development of everyone “.
The state of siege concerns precisely the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri which are now managed by military governors, appointed for the occasion. The measure will last for a month and the deadline can be extended if necessary.
In the country, this decision of the authorities is variously appreciated. While for some it gives hope for a return to peace, others refuse to believe it, believing the insecurity in the east of the country cannot be resolved in a short time. The refractories also believe that during the state of siege the armed groups can take precautions to take shelter and invade the affected provinces again, after the departure of the military.
By OMA Newsletter N ° 269 of 05/18/2021
OMA, an NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
The enhancement of human potential
The promotion and consolidation of inter-African integration
Keywords: State of siege, North Kivu, Ituri, Paul Kagame, Felix Tshisekedi
Country: Democratic Republic of Congo
Geographical position: Central Africa
