“France will never compromise on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he declared during a joint press conference with his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi, visiting Paris.
The French head of state spoke of a “commitment” from the Congolese president to “put an end to the actions of the FDLR”, Rwandan Hutu rebels whose presence for 30 years in the east of the DRC is denounced by Rwanda. “We are with several other allies at your side, as you know, to implement this progress,” he added.
“If we manage to restart such a process, trust is created”
This commitment has “value towards the Rwandans whom I am strong in convincing of a parallel withdrawal of their forces which have nothing to do on Congolese soil”, insisted Emmanuel Macron, urging to recall Rwandan President Paul Kagame “in the coming days”. “If we manage to restart such a process, trust is created,” he said.
The French president mentioned a sequencing which would therefore see “disarmament and supervision” of the FDLR on the one hand “and withdrawal of the Rwandan forces which are on Congolese soil” on the other hand, “then disarmament of the M23 and support process” .
A tribute paid to support French support by the President of the DRC
Welcoming the Angolan mediation, he said he hoped “that by the end of the summer, we can have fully conclusive initiatives to get out of the situation that you have known for too long.” However, he did not clearly mention sanctions against Rwanda, which the DRC demanded.
In return, Félix Tshisekedi paid tribute to French support. “What caught our attention the most” during this meeting in Paris was “the even greater commitment of France alongside the Congolese people” to find a solution to the conflict ravaging the east of the DRC , he said. He estimated that his country could “count on France, which will be at (its) side to find” peace, adding that a “glimmer of hope is on the horizon”. However, he clarified that it “will only be possible to discuss” with Rwanda once its army “has left” the DRC.