Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner’s Diplomatic Crusade Ahead of UN Emergency Summit
As tensions escalate in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations Security Council has been called to convene an emergency session on Monday, January 27th. The request, made by Kinshasa, aims to address the deteriorating security situation in the region. In preparation for this crucial meeting, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the DRC, has been engaged in a flurry of diplomatic efforts in New York to rally support from Council members against the alleged backing of the M23 rebel group by Rwanda.
Meeting with Key Players on the Global Stage
In her diplomatic engagements with representatives from the United Kingdom, Russia, Pakistan, the United States, and Denmark, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner has underscored the urgency for each Council member to shoulder their responsibilities in the face of the crisis. She has called for concrete sanctions against Rwanda to prevent the risk of regional escalation, condemning the Council’s inaction despite clear evidence of Rwandan military presence in the DRC.
Notably, the Minister of State also met with Fu Cong, the Chinese representative, on Friday, January 24th. Recognizing China as the DRC’s most significant economic partner, Wagner appealed to Beijing to support decisive measures against Kigali. “The DRC will no longer settle for mere statements,” she asserted, urging China to leverage its influence within the Council.
A phone conversation with Bineta Diop, the African Union’s Special Envoy for Women, Peace, and Security, was held on the same day. The discussion centered on the deadlock in the Luanda process and the impact of violence on women. “No gender champion, like Rwanda, should evade their responsibilities when supporting acts that dehumanize women,” Kayikwamba declared.
Furthering her diplomatic efforts, the Minister of State met with Nicolas de Rivière, the French Permanent Representative to the Security Council. She emphasized that “the Council will be held accountable by history for the disastrous consequences of the security and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.”
A Call for Action at the Upcoming Emergency Session
The emergency session of the Security Council is scheduled to take place on January 27, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Council Chamber in New York. Kinshasa is hopeful of garnering widespread support for international sanctions against Rwanda and swift intervention to address the security and humanitarian crisis in North Kivu.
Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the interests of the DRC amidst a complex geopolitical landscape underscores the gravity of the situation. As the world watches, her diplomatic efforts serve as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of international cooperation in resolving conflicts and upholding peace and security in the region.