A critical meeting took place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, presided over by the President of the Senate, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde. The gathering brought together members of the upper house of parliament and provincial assembly presidents from all 26 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The agenda included discussions on various concerns raised by the provincial assemblies and the contentious issue of Rwandan aggression through its proxies in the M23/AFC in the eastern part of the DRC.
At the heart of this working session, which falls within the framework of the Senate-Provincial Assemblies consultation, President Sama Lukonde opened the meeting by acknowledging the unique context in which it was taking place. He highlighted the ongoing aggression imposed on the DRC by Rwanda, particularly in the North and South Kivu provinces. In light of this challenging situation, President Sama Lukonde Kyenge urged all participants to heed the call of the Head of State, President Félix Tshisekedi, for a united front against the enemy. “We all have a duty, each in our own way, to stand behind our Armed Forces and our valiant ‘Wazalendo’ to defend our motherland,” emphasized Sama Lukonde.
Papy Matezolo, the President of the Provincial Assembly of Kongo Central, acting as the delegation’s spokesperson, expressed satisfaction with the meeting and the Senate’s willingness to engage in discussions on mobilization efforts to combat the aggression perpetrated by Rwanda through the M23/AFC. “We appreciate the opportunity granted by the Senate to present some of our concerns. This is why we approached the Senate since from the 10th to the 14th of February, we will host a forum in Kongo Central to strengthen what we call national cohesion and exchange experiences among provinces,” stated Papy Matezolo.
The situation in the North Kivu province has worsened since the occupation of Goma, the provincial capital, by the M23 rebellion supported by the Rwandan army. With over 3,000 fatalities and more than 2,000 wounded, calls have been mounting for the facilitation or opening of a humanitarian corridor to provide assistance to the distressed population. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations are in agreement that the Goma International Airport and other blocked routes must be reopened to establish a humanitarian corridor in accordance with international law during times of conflict.
The armed group M23, in collaboration with the Rwandan army, gained control of the major Congolese city of Goma, expanding its influence in the North Kivu province with ambitions reaching beyond its current borders. The escalating conflict has created a dire humanitarian situation, necessitating urgent action and international intervention to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.