During a speech at the FARDC headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Mak Hazukai Mongba, the interim representative of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, called on international partners to take a firm stance against the violence perpetrated by armed groups operating on Congolese territory. «The armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo call on the international community to unequivocally condemn acts of aggression and violence against civilians, support efforts to combat terrorism, and contribute to strengthening mechanisms aimed at preventing the acquisition and use of advanced military equipment by armed groups operating in the country», the Congolese army said through its representative.
The FARDC has also sent a message of solidarity to the population living in areas affected by armed conflicts, as well as to those living in occupied territories. «The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo express their solidarity, confidence, and resilience to our compatriots living in areas affected by armed conflicts, as well as to those who are suffering from the consequences of the occupation of certain parts of the national territory. The nation will never abandon them. The armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo remain by their side and continue their mission to protect the Congolese people», they said in their statement.
Faced with ongoing security challenges, the Congolese army has confirmed its full mobilization to protect national sovereignty and ensure the safety of its citizens. «The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo remain resolutely committed to their republican mission of protecting the nation. In the face of the threats that continue to loom over our country, they remain fully mobilized to ensure the protection of the population, preserve the territorial integrity of the Republic, and prevent any attempts at destabilization», the FARDC emphasized.
At the same time, the FARDC insisted on its commitment to continue operations in accordance with republican values and constitutional obligations. «The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo reaffirm their determination to carry out their missions with professionalism, discipline, and loyalty until the full restoration of peace, security, and state authority throughout the country», they added through a spokesperson.
Despite the existence of the Washington Agreement and a series of assessment meetings, the security and humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to deteriorate. This is happening against the backdrop of numerous diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis. The erosion of trust between the parties, as well as the lack of political will among some regional actors, which hinders the effective implementation of their commitments, remain significant challenges for the mediators, particularly the United States of America and the State of Qatar. The latter are called upon to continue their efforts to find a way out of the current security crisis, which is marked by the presence of the AFC/M23 rebels, whom Kinshasa accuses of receiving support from Rwanda.
In this situation, calls continue to be made at the national, regional, and international levels for the various parties to comply with their commitments under the peace initiatives. However, these calls have not yet had a significant impact. The goal of bridging the gap between the reality on the ground and the diplomatic progress on paper remains elusive. Each party continues to interpret the provisions of the agreement in their own way, making its implementation increasingly hypothetical. The same applies to the Doha Process, which is being led by the State of Qatar.
Despite several rounds of discussions, Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebels have still not been able to agree on the main points of contention. The Montreux (Switzerland) phase, which was supposed to give new impetus to the process, did not produce the expected results. The commitments made during this phase of negotiations have not been fully fulfilled, and the deteriorating situation in the Middle East has also contributed to the downgrading of this file, further slowing down the mediation efforts.
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