Kinshasa, 10 August 2022 (TDI): The U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met the
President Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi on Tuesday.
The Foreign Minister of DR Congo, Christophe Lutundula was also present at the meeting.
Pleased to meet with DRC President Tshisekedi and Foreign Minister Lutundula. The DRC is an important partner in advancing security and stability, promoting democracy and respect for human rights, strengthening rule of law, and combating the climate crisis. pic.twitter.com/u0FgeZJ505
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 9, 2022
During the meeting, Secretary Blinken addressed his concerns about instability in the region. Moreover, he expressed that the U.S. is concerned about Russia and China’s mutual interest in earth minerals in the region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC).
Ensuring Peace and Stability
Secretary Blinken assured the DR Congo that the US would support DRC in promoting peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, he acknowledged that DR Congo was an important partner of the US in promoting democracy and human rights.
He also explained that the U.S. would support DRC in developing good ties with Rwanda.
Secretary Blinken highlighted the country’s democratic stability and ensuring people’s rights. He also praised DR Congo’s efforts in eradicating corruption and promised to support the state in enhancing its election procedures, rendering them fair and free.
During the meeting, both sides expressed their views on establishing peace in the eastern region of DR Congo. The U.S. has remained Africa’s biggest partner in developmental and agricultural sectors. It has also provided aid to help the African region fight climate changes and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To protect civilians, the U.S., along with UN peacekeeping missions, is trying to eradicate
violence and protect Africans.
The Secretary of State explained that the African region is home to diverse people, languages, and religions. Therefore, he said protecting the region at all costs was important. Previously, he had explained that the African region was of utmost importance to the United States.
Moreover, he said that as democratic states that shared their views on several things, the US would help DR Congo ensure transparency in all sectors.
Concernant la situation sécuritaire qui prévaut dans l’Est de la RDC, Antony Blinken a réitéré, lors de la conférence de presse, le soutien des USA pour le respect de la souveraineté et de l’intégrité territoriale de la RDC et la condamnation de toute agression contre notre pays pic.twitter.com/bHqrcasDg9
— Présidence RDC 🇨🇩 (@Presidence_RDC) August 9, 2022
After their meeting, a Press Conference was also held. During the Conference, Secretary Blinken thanked the President and Foreign Minister of DR Congo for their warm welcome in DR Congo.
Furthermore, he said he was very pleased to visit RDC for the first time as the Secretary of State of the United States.
Also Read: US Secretary of State visits Indo-Pacific and Africa
Visit to Africa:
The Secretary of State is on an official trip to the Indo-Pacific region and Africa. After completing the first part of the trip, the Secretary of State started his three-nation visit to Africa.
Secretary Blinken visited South Africa previously and met the government officials there. After DR Congo, he would go to Rwanda too. His visit aims to reaffirm America’s partnership with the countries.
