Africa

Dennis Mukwege and Albert Moleka

On May 17, 2023, Dr. Denis Mukwege, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner, appointed  Albert Moleka as his special advisor.   He has also appointed other political leaders and activists within his closest team.  The appointment of Congolese political figures as his closest advisors, has raised the expectations that  Dr. Denis Mukwege is ready for the next steps:  a political career with the aim to become the next President of the DRC in the upcoming elections, planned in December 2023. In the last years, he has  been having contacts  with world leaders including French president Emmanuel Macron, the Pope, UK leaders, and USA leaders. He has also been meeting other Congolese opposition leaders and potential presidential candidates, including former Prime-Minister Matata Mponyo,  Martin Fayulu who is regarded as the  true winner of the previous elections , Moîse Katumbi, and Dely Sessanga.

Rwandan Gorilla Grooming its Kid

Rwanda’s long time ruling dictator General Paul Kagame has made another step on the path to his succession, preparing the heir to the throne. This time, he appointed his 29-years-old daughter Ms Ange Kagame to a high government position within the presidency, upgraded the position of his son in the military, and  reinforced the faction within the military that supports his succession plan.  The changes have widely raised concerns among the independent observers of the situation in Rwanda,  but also within the Rwandan ruling elite and the military. 

Defeated M23 Rebels soldiers in a camp in Rwanda in 2013

On July 28, 2023, the European Union (EU)  sanctioned  Rwandan and  Congolese nationals responsible for or involved in the wars, massacres, human tragedies, and serious human rights violations  in  the Eastern of the DR Congo.

In the latest months, after a worldwide agreement on the invasion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) under the cover of the M23 rebels, the focus has been shifted to the actions the United Nations Security Council,  the European Union, and other entities or governments plan to take against the Rwandan military leaders and. those responsible for the tragedy in the DRC.  The actions by the EU appear to be the first step, as the United Nations Security Council has also been working on its list of individuals and organizations to be sanctioned.  The question now is: when will the sanctions be enacted  by the UN and extended by EU  and who will be targeted?