Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès to lead a mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in early February

-

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".


A series of discussion points will be on the agenda, such as the reopening of a Congolese consulate in Antwerp or the appointment by the DRC of an ambassador in Brussels. "It will also be an opportunity to open the Consulate General of Lubumbashi", which officially reopened in early January.

The two countries are emerging from a serious diplomatic crisis but their relations have largely normalized since the entry into office of Félix Tshisekedi, who emerged victorious from the disputed presidential election of December 30, 2018. Brussels and Kinshasa had sealed their reconciliation during a visit official visit of Mr. Tshisekedi in Belgium in September.

The crisis was caused by the postponement of the elections in the DRC, initially scheduled for the end of 2018 and the criticisms expressed by the Belgian government. It led to the suspension of the bilateral Military Partnership Program (MPP) in April 2017, then in early 2018 following a "fundamental review" of the cooperation decided by the Belgian government until "the organization of elections credible "in the DRC.

In retaliation, the Congolese government had ordered Belgium to close its consulate general in Lubumbashi, end the activities of its new development agency (Enabel) and close the Schengen House in Kinshasa. The frequencies of the airline Brussels Airlines had also been reduced from seven weekly flights to four.

These measures have been canceled since Felix Tshisekedi took office and a new Belgian ambassador, Jo Indekeu, took up his post in late October in Kinshasa.

Cassienn Tribunal Aungane, Editor

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Building Loyalty: The Art of Personalised Brand Experiences and Advocacy, By Tushar Vaishnavi, Strategic Planning Director, Canon Central & North Africa

-
Image
Tushar Vaishnavi, Strategic Planning Director, Canon Central & North Africa  The winds of change have swept across the African consumer landscape over the past decade, reshaping shopping habits and behaviours, particularly among our vibrant younger generations. Coupled with technological advancements and a shifting consumer-brand dynamic, this presents unique challenges – and opportunities – for businesses, retailers, and the marketing industry on the African continent. While businesses find themselves under immense pressure to deliver tangible results and demonstrate a return on investment, the battleground for consumers' attention is fierce. Today's discerning consumers have the power to choose which brands to embrace and which to ignore. Buyer journeys have also become intricate and nonlinear. Spoilt for choice when it comes to channels, consumers transition seamlessly between the physical and virtual realms to gather information, form impressions, and make purchasing de
Read more

Merck Foundation provided 780 scholarships to women doctors to empower women in science - International Day of Girls & Women in Science

-
Image
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with african women • Merck Foundation marks International Day of Girls & Women in Science through their STEM program. • Merck Foundation launches the “MARS Best African Woman Researchers Awards” annually to empower and recognize women in science. In 2023, 6 Researchers from 6 different African Countries awarded in two categories - Best African Women Researchers and Best African young Researchers. • Merck Foundation empowers African Women in the areas of Science and Technology through providing 780 scholarships to female doctors out of the total 1700 scholarships which represents 46% of Merck Foundation Alumni.  • Merck Foundation also announced the Call for Applications for Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS Awards 2024 to empower Women and Youth in STEM in Africa with special focus on scientific research in Women Health and Infertility & Reproductive Health. Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germ
Read more

Advancing Sustainable Oil and Gas (O&G) Investments: Savannah Energy Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 as Bronze Sponsor

-
Image
The African Energy Chamber is proud to announce that Savannah Energy has joined the African Energy Week 2023 conference as Bronze Sponsor. As International Oil Companies divest from carbon-intensive oil and gas projects, independent players are taking on the challenge of sustainably developing hydrocarbons in Africa. Given the continent’s growing demand and industrialization efforts, bringing new oil and gas supplies on the market has become increasingly vital. Companies such as African-focused British-based independent energy company Savannah Energy Plc (“Savannah”) are spearheading efforts to unlock the full potential of Africa’s hydrocarbons, alongside utility-scale renewable energy projects across the continent, and are set to play a much larger role as African countries invite new investment into the energy sector. Savannah has joined the African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 conference - taking place from 16–20 October in Cape Town – as a Bronze Sponsor, and will leverage the platform’s
Read more