Democratic Republic of Congo highlights environmental leadership while condemning cross-border aggression at Francophonie assembly
- Politics
The capital of Cameroon became the epicenter of diplomatic exchanges from July 6-11, 2026, as it hosted the 51st Session of the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly (APF). This prestigious gathering provided the Democratic Republic of Congo with a platform to showcase its environmental stewardship and diplomatic resilience through its Senate President, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge.
With over 300 parliamentarians from 42 national, subnational, and interparliamentary sections representing the Francophonie community, this event served as a crucial forum for addressing climate action and regional security challenges. Sama Lukonde’s address centered on two critical pillars: Congo’s ecological contributions and the devastating environmental consequences of ongoing violence in the eastern DRC.
Congo’s Environmental Leadership Recognized
Building on President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi’s vision, Sama Lukonde emphasized Congo’s strategic role in global climate preservation. He proudly presented the DRC as a “solution country,” highlighting its unparalleled natural assets:
- The Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest
- Exceptional biodiversity across its vast territory
- The Green Corridor initiative spanning 500,000 km² between Kivu and Kinshasa
However, he cautioned that despite these significant ecological contributions, international efforts to combat climate change remain insufficient in addressing the magnitude of environmental challenges.
“Our nation naturally positions itself as a true solution country,” he declared, underscoring Congo’s commitment to environmental preservation.
Condemning Cross-Border Violence and Its Ecological Devastation
While celebrating Congo’s environmental leadership, Sama Lukonde forcefully condemned what he described as “unjust aggression” against the DRC by Rwanda through its M23-AFC proxies. He painted a stark picture of the dual humanitarian and ecological crisis unfolding in eastern Congo:
- Mass displacement of civilian populations
- Destruction of wildlife and natural habitats
- Pollution of vital water resources
- Irreversible damage to fragile ecosystems
“One cannot claim to achieve climate balance while simultaneously destroying natural resources through war,” he asserted.
He called for concrete international support to peace initiatives and implementation of the Washington Accords, while advocating for a comprehensive Francophonie climate pact grounded in solidarity and recognition of forest-adjacent communities’ needs.
The Senate President also announced Congo’s support for Julianna Lumumba’s candidacy to lead the Francophonie organization.
Diplomatic Milestones at the Yaoundé Assembly
The APF session, organized by Cameroon’s parliamentary delegation and the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly, convened at both the National Assembly and Senate of Cameroon. Throughout the week, Francophone parliamentarians conducted intensive deliberations across permanent commissions and thematic networks, addressing critical political, democratic, economic, social, cultural, and environmental challenges facing the Francophonie space.
Parallel to the main assembly, the 11th edition of the Francophonie Youth Parliament brought together 61 young representatives from 29 Francophone sections, along with delegates from partner organizations including the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) and the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF). This youth platform, celebrating over two decades of existence, continues to serve as a vital incubator for future Francophone leaders.
