The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Judith Suminwa Tuluka, has been mandated by President Félix Tshisekedi to represent the country at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The assembly will take place from September 22 to 26, 2026, in New York. As the head of the Congolese government, Suminwa will focus on promoting peace, security, sustainable development, and strengthening multilateralism.
The 81st UN General Assembly is themed "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations in Service of All." Suminwa's participation is crucial for the DRC, as the country seeks to assert its voice, defend its interests, and solidify partnerships. In addition to plenary sessions, Suminwa will engage in bilateral meetings with partners and stakeholders to enhance cooperation in priority areas such as peace, security, development, investments, and economic partnerships.
The DRC's participation in the UN General Assembly comes amid a complex international landscape marked by conflicts, inequalities, climate emergencies, and challenges to the multilateral system. A key issue on the agenda is the security situation in eastern DRC, where the government has accused Rwanda of aggression and support for rebel groups, including the M23. President Tshisekedi previously denounced Rwanda's actions at the 80th UN General Assembly.
During the 80th session, President Tshisekedi called for the recognition of the "Congolese genocide," which he attributed to Rwandan-backed violence and economic pillage in eastern DRC. He reported millions of deaths and 7 million internally displaced persons. Suminwa is expected to reiterate these concerns and push for a stronger international response, including the implementation of a UN Security Council resolution demanding Rwanda's withdrawal.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on February 21, condemning Rwanda's support for the M23 and demanding the immediate withdrawal of its troops. However, Rwanda has failed to comply, maintaining its military presence and logistical support for rebel groups. Suminwa is likely to emphasize the need for accountability and the enforcement of UN resolutions.
Climate change is another critical issue for the DRC, which has positioned itself as a "solution country" due to its vast forests, peatlands, and water resources that absorb millions of tons of CO2 annually. President Tshisekedi recently promulgated an ordinance establishing a carbon market regime, aiming to attract investments in emission-reducing projects.
The DRC-Rwanda conflict remains a pressing concern, with the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of behaving like a "rogue state" by maintaining its military presence and fueling an economic war of pillage. Suminwa's address to the UN General Assembly is expected to highlight these issues and advocate for a stronger international response to the crisis.
Key points
- The DRC will push for recognition of the "Congolese genocide" and condemnation of Rwanda's support for rebel groups in eastern DRC.
- The DRC is positioning itself as a "solution country" on climate change, with a focus on carbon markets and sustainable forest management.
- The UN Security Council has demanded Rwanda's withdrawal from DRC, but implementation has been lacking.
