She Okitundu and PSDV back Marco Rubio’s demand for Rwandan troop withdrawal from DR Congo, reject Belgian minister’s conditions

Former deputy prime minister and foreign minister, now national deputy Léonard She Okitundu, together with his political party the Social Democratic Green Party (PSDV), have reacted to two key international statements regarding the presence of Rwandan troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The statements in question are those of United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot on the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from occupied areas in eastern DR Congo.

In a declaration dated 7 June 2026, She Okitundu and the PSDV consider that the positions taken by these international partners represent a significant step forward in the search for a lasting solution to the security crisis affecting the eastern part of the country. They believe that the growing interest of the international community in the situation in North Kivu and South Kivu reflects an awareness of the security and humanitarian challenges facing Congolese populations. The PSDV and its leader view this diplomatic mobilisation as a potential accelerator of peace efforts in a region marked by armed violence and massive population displacements.

However, while the former foreign minister and his party particularly welcome the declarations of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reportedly set a deadline for the effective withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory—seeing in this position a strong signal of the United States’ commitment to respect for DR Congo’s sovereignty and regional stability—they strongly criticise the stance of Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot. Prévot had raised the need for simultaneity between the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and the neutralisation of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda).

For Léonard She Okitundu and the PSDV, this approach risks serving as a pretext for delaying the implementation of obligations imposed on Rwanda. They recall that United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773 demands an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory. In their view, this resolution remains the primary legal and diplomatic framework for achieving a sustainable de-escalation of tensions in eastern DR Congo.

Faced with persistent insecurity in several areas affected by armed clashes, the PSDV and its leader not only call on national and international actors to maintain diplomatic pressure to ensure respect for international commitments and promote the return of peace, but also reaffirm their commitment to defending the territorial integrity of DR Congo. They advocate for a solution based on international law, regional cooperation, and respect for United Nations resolutions.