Congo-Kinshasa: She Okitundu and PSDV back US position on Rwandan troops withdrawal

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — The stances taken by international partners on the presence of Rwandan troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have drawn a sharp response from former Vice Prime Minister and current Member of Parliament Léonard She Okitundu and his party, the Parti Social-Démocrate Vert (PSDV). The statements in question come from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, both addressing the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from occupied areas in eastern DRC.

In a statement issued on June 7, 2026, She Okitundu and the PSDV hailed the international community’s growing interest in the security and humanitarian crises plaguing the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu. They emphasized that this heightened attention reflects a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Congolese civilians, who continue to endure armed violence and mass displacements. The party and its leader believe this diplomatic mobilization could significantly accelerate peace efforts in a region ravaged by conflict.

The former Foreign Affairs Vice Prime Minister and his party particularly welcomed the position of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who set a clear deadline for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory. They view this stance as a strong signal of U.S. commitment to respecting DRC’s sovereignty and promoting regional stability. However, they strongly criticized Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot’s position, which linked the withdrawal of Rwandan troops to the neutralization of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

According to She Okitundu and the PSDV, this conditional approach could be exploited by Rwanda to delay compliance with its obligations. They reiterated that United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773 explicitly demands an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan troops from DRC territory. For them, this resolution remains the cornerstone of a sustainable de-escalation of tensions in eastern DRC.

With insecurity persisting in multiple conflict zones, the PSDV and its leader are urging national and international actors to maintain diplomatic pressure to ensure compliance with international commitments. They reaffirm their commitment to defending DRC’s territorial integrity and advocate for a solution grounded in international law, regional cooperation, and strict adherence to UN resolutions.