Prominent political figures in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have welcomed recent international statements regarding the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese soil. Léonard She Okitundu, former Vice Prime Minister and current Member of Parliament, alongside his party, the Social Democratic Green Party (PSDV), have expressed strong support for U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s call for an immediate withdrawal. Conversely, they have criticized Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot’s stance, which links Rwanda’s troop withdrawal to the disarmament of armed groups operating in eastern DRC.
International pressure mounts for regional stability
The statements by Rubio and Prévot come at a critical juncture, as the eastern provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu grapple with persistent armed conflicts and humanitarian crises. She Okitundu and PSDV officials view the growing international engagement as a pivotal moment in addressing the security and humanitarian challenges plaguing these regions. They argue that such diplomatic mobilization could accelerate efforts to restore peace and stability, where violence and mass displacement have become alarmingly routine.
She Okitundu, a veteran diplomat with decades of experience, underscored the significance of Rubio’s position, which sets a clear deadline for Rwanda’s troop withdrawal from Congolese territory. In the eyes of the PSDV leader, this stance reflects a robust commitment by the United States to uphold the sovereignty of the DRC and promote regional stability. However, the party and its leader remain sharply critical of Prévot’s proposal, which ties the withdrawal of Rwandan forces to the neutralization of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Legal and diplomatic framework takes precedence
According to She Okitundu and PSDV, Prévot’s approach risks creating unnecessary delays in enforcing Rwanda’s obligations under international law. They emphasize that United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773 mandates an unconditional and immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the DRC. This resolution, they assert, remains the cornerstone for achieving a lasting de-escalation of tensions in eastern DRC.
The party and its leader are calling for sustained diplomatic pressure from both national and international actors to ensure compliance with international commitments. They reaffirm their unwavering commitment to defending the territorial integrity of the DRC and advocate for solutions grounded in international law, regional cooperation, and adherence to UN resolutions. With insecurity persisting in multiple conflict zones, their message is clear: the time for decisive action is now.
