The 51st session of the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly (APF) convened in Yaoundé from 6 to 11 July 2026, bringing together over 300 parliamentarians from 42 national and subnational sections across the Francophone world. The Democratic Republic of Congo seized this platform to amplify its voice through Senate President Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge.

In his address, the Congolese Senate leader emphasized two critical priorities: environmental conservation and the devastating ecological consequences of ongoing insecurity in eastern DRC. His intervention reflected President Félix Tshisekedi’s strategic vision for positioning Congo as a key player in global climate action.

Highlighting the Congo Basin as the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest and a biodiversity hotspot, Sama Lukonde reiterated the DRC’s role as a ‘solution country’ in the fight against climate change. He showcased initiatives like the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor project, spanning over 500,000 km², designed to bolster international climate mitigation efforts.

‘Our nation naturally stands as a true solution country,’ he declared, underscoring the country’s ecological assets.

However, the Senate President condemned the persistent environmental degradation exacerbated by decades of conflict. He specifically condemned what he termed ‘unjust aggression against the DRC by Rwanda through its M23-AFC proxies,’ warning that such hostilities inflict severe ecological damage.

According to his office, armed violence not only causes human casualties and mass displacement but also triggers ecosystem destruction, wildlife decimation, and water resource contamination. ‘How can we claim climate balance when war systematically plunders and destroys natural resources?’ he questioned.

‘We cannot achieve climate balance while waging war that ravages our natural heritage,’ he emphasized.

Sama Lukonde called on Francophone nations to support peace efforts and implement the Washington agreements. He further advocated for a binding Francophone climate pact rooted in solidarity and better representation of forest-dependent communities. Additionally, he announced the DRC’s endorsement of Julianna Lumumba’s candidacy for the Francophonie leadership.

The APF Yaoundé session, organized by the Cameroonian APF section and the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly, featured week-long discussions in specialized commissions. Parallel to this, the 11th Francophonie Youth Parliament (PFJ) brought together 61 young delegates from 29 Francophone sections, along with representatives from partner organizations like the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and the AUF.