Kinshasa, November 8th, 2026 (CPA).- Diplomats have pledged to advocate for their respective countries to join the International Alliance for the Prevention of Sexual Violence, during a session held in Geneva, Switzerland, according to the minutes of the Council of Ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), read out on Friday on national radio and television.
“The main outcome was the commitment made by several diplomats to advocate for their countries to join the International Alliance for the Prevention of Sexual Violence, thereby promising to strengthen international cooperation and promote actions that are more victim-centered,” Yolande Elebe, Minister in charge of Culture, Arts and Heritage, read from the Council of Ministers’ report. She indicated that the DRC’s presidency of the International Alliance for the Prevention of Sexual Violence was marked by a high-level meeting held on September 30th, 2026. The meeting provided an opportunity to raise awareness among several diplomats about the existence of the Alliance and secure their commitment to advocating for their respective countries to join it. Furthermore, the enhanced interactive dialogue of October 2nd, 2026, devoted to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, provided the DRC with an opportunity to denounce the massive, and even genocidal, violations attributed to Rwanda and its AFC/M23 proxies in the eastern part of the country.
The Minister in charge of Culture also specified that, on this occasion, the DRC reaffirmed its commitment to human rights while emphasizing the need for technical assistance that respects national expertise. “The major impact of this dialogue was the convergence of positions among several States and civil society actors in condemning these acts of violence, demanding the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and encouraging the DRC’s efforts,” the Government’s ad hoc spokesperson also reported. This mobilization was notably marked by a formal request from the DRC to the Human Rights Council to officially acknowledge the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory, Ms. Elebe concluded. CPA/