This Saturday morning Emmanuel Macron met his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi in the “Palais de la Nation”, in the official and embassy district, for an interview followed by a joint press conference.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is gripped by a rebellion in its eastern part, “must not be spoiled by war”, French President Emmanuel Macron started this Saturday in Kinshasa, calling on everyone “including Rwanda” to “take his responsibility”. “.
“The open looting of the DRC must stop. No looting, no balkanization, no war,” he demanded at a joint press conference with his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi.
He had just lamented the “unjust and barbaric aggression” his country sees itself as a victim of.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebellion, which has seized large tracts of land in the mineral-rich province of North Kivu since last year. UN experts have confirmed this support and several Western law firms have denounced it, although Kigali denies it.
The French Foreign Ministry has also condemned this support, but Kinshasa believes that it is not enough and expects concrete measures and sanctions against Kigali from Paris.
“Take responsibility”
Emmanuel Macron has not condemned Rwanda by name, announced sanctions or clearly denounced Rwandan support for the M23, but he called on everyone this Saturday to “take their responsibilities, including Rwanda”.
“If he doesn’t respect (the proposed de-escalation plan, editor’s note) then there must be sanctions,” he emphasized when asked about Rwanda.
The French President has strongly supported diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis, particularly those of Angolan President Joao Lourenço, whom he met on Friday during the second leg of his trip to Central Africa.
“Clear support” for a ceasefire
Speaking with Presidents Lourenço and Tshisekedi, as well as Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Emmanuel Macron said he noted that everyone had given “clear support” for a ceasefire next Tuesday, as indicated in the “Chronogram”.
The M23 representatives who visited President Lourenço also made a commitment on this point, he added.
Ceasefires have been announced several times in recent months, but have never been complied with. “I ask you to see,” said Félix Tshisekedi, “we give peace a chance.”