Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) was set to visit Africa's Great Lakes region of Africa from Wednesday to engage with major stakeholders seeking sustainable solutions to the ongoing conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Prévot confirmed on Wednesday in the Belgian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee that he aimed to meet with the top authorities in Uganda, Burundi, and the DRC and listen to humanitarian and economic actors as well as local associations, underscoring his commitment to fostering local dialogue.
He stressed the importance of leaving leadership in the hands of local players.
The situation in eastern Congo, a region rich in rare minerals, has been unstable for years. However, violence has significantly escalated in recent months due to an offensive by the M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda.
The M23 rebels have seized control of key cities Goma and Bukavu, with the local population being the primary victims of the violence.
For years, Kinshasa has called on Europeans, especially Belgium, to sanction the government of President Paul Kagame in Rwanda. In the meantime, the government in Kigali has unilaterally decided to sever diplomatic ties with Belgium.
Minister Prévot expressed his wish to visit other influential countries in Africa, mentioning Angola, Tanzania, Congo-Brazzaville, South Africa, and Togo. A follow-up visit to these nations is expected “in the coming weeks,” he said.
The Belgian Foreign Minister does not plan to vosit Rwanda anytime soon.
During his visits, Prévot plans to reiterate the importance of internal dialogue and acknowledge that “efforts” must also be made “within Congo itself.” He aims to engage with individuals directly affected by the conflict.
