She okitundu and psdv praise Marco Rubio’s call for Rwandan troop withdrawal from drc, reject Belgian stance

Two recent statements regarding the presence of Rwandan troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have drawn a response from former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Léonard She Okitundu, now a national deputy, and his political party, the Green Social Democratic Party (PSDV). The statements in question came 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 declaration dated June 7, 2026, She Okitundu and his party consider these international positions a significant step forward in the search for a lasting solution to the security crisis plaguing the country’s east. They believe the growing interest of the international community in the situation in North Kivu and South Kivu reflects a heightened awareness of the security and humanitarian challenges faced by the Congolese people. The PSDV and its leader view this diplomatic mobilization as a potential catalyst for accelerating peace restoration efforts in a region devastated by armed violence and mass displacement.

However, while the former foreign minister and his party particularly welcome U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statements — which reportedly set a deadline for the effective withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory, seeing this as a strong signal of American commitment to respecting DRC sovereignty and regional stability — they strongly criticize Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot’s position. Prévot had raised the need for simultaneity between Rwandan troop withdrawal and the neutralization of the FDLR.

For Léonard She Okitundu and his party, this approach risks serving as a pretext to delay 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 key legal and diplomatic framework for achieving a sustainable de-escalation of tensions in eastern DRC.

Given the persistent insecurity in multiple 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 foster the return of peace, but also reaffirm their commitment to defending the territorial integrity of the DRC. They advocate for a solution rooted in international law, regional cooperation, and respect for United Nations resolutions.