diplomacy&development

Félix Tshisekedi reportedly said he wants to use standalone energy units, such as solar home systems, to bring electricity to at least 21 million people in the next nine years. In fact, this is a firm commitment of the Congolese Head of State Félix Tshisekedi who has committed to off-grid renewable energy, including 10 million Bboxx solar systems. He has reportedly pledged to use off-grid renewable energy systems to bring electricity to at least 21 million people by 2029. A press release issued by London-based off-grid solar system supplier Bboxx yesterday quoted an announcement made by president Félix Tshisekedi, in the sideline of the UK-Africa Investment Summit held in London on Monday. According to Bboxx, Tshisekedi said: “With the DRC’s growing population, new grid connections are needed each year to keep the electrification rate constant. My ambition is to use decentralized and renewable energy solutions as a foundation to improve the country’s electrif...

Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès will lead a mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in early February which will "consecrate relations" between the two countries. Wilmès announced this fact on Wednesday morning after a meeting with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The Belgian Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Philippe Goffin, and of Development Cooperation, Alexander De Croo, are also announced to be in the delegation for the trip. The central points were not addressed Wednesday morning. Tshisekedi and Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès mainly discussed "the importance of communicating with each other and of marking our relations more officially".   The two political leaders will meet again "in two and a half weeks, during a mission that I will lead in the DRC," said the Prime Minister, stressing that "many investors want to work with the Congo". ...

  The president of Democratic Republic of Congo discussed the country’s Framework Agreement with the Vatican, while emphasizing the role the influential Roman Catholic Church has played in advancing democracy among the Congolese. Notably, its bishops played a key role in pressing for the removal of former president Joseph Kabila in 2016 after his constitutionally limited two terms expired, called for elections, and challenged the results that, ironically, put Tshisekedi in office. The Church constitutes an important social body with its 35 million faithful. Over 60% of schools, two universities and hospitals are run by the Church. Observers from Cenco (The National Episcopal Conference of the Congo was involved in the "national dialogue" for the establishment of a presidential election, editor's note) were very skeptical about the results of the 2018 presidential elections. The Congolese Church ended up accepting the verdict giving Félix Tshisekedi the winn...

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met Monday with President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Félix Tshisekedi on the sidelines of the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London, where they discussed boosting the mutual relations between the two countries. According to presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady, Sisi expressed Egypt’s pride in the historical relations with Congo, and stressed Cairo’s keenness to enhance coordination and consultations between the two countries. For his part, Tshisekedi expressed his country’s aspiration to develop bilateral relations. He also praised Egypt’s prominent role in the African Union. Tshisekedi praised Egypt’s “unlimited” support for preserving peace and stability in Congo “without any personal, hidden or private agendas.” Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi arrived in the English capital on Sunday to participate in the three-day UK-Africa Investment Summit on Monday. President Sisi was received by some of the me...