She Okitundu and PSDV back Marco Rubio, criticise Maxime Prévot over Rwanda troop pullout from DRC

Two recent statements on the presence of Rwandan troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have drawn a sharp reaction from former deputy prime minister and foreign minister, now national deputy Léonard She Okitundu, along with his political party, the Green Social Democratic Party (PSDV). The statements in question came from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, each addressing the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from occupied areas in eastern DRC.

In a declaration dated 7 June 2026, She Okitundu and the PSDV argued that the positions taken by these international partners represent a significant step forward in the search for a lasting solution to the security crisis afflicting the eastern part of the country. For them, the growing interest of the international community in the situation in North Kivu and South Kivu reflects a heightened awareness of the security and humanitarian challenges faced by Congolese civilians. The PSDV and its leader consider that this diplomatic mobilisation could help accelerate efforts to restore peace in a region plagued by armed violence and mass displacement.

However, while the former foreign minister and his party particularly welcome the statements of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio—who reportedly set a deadline for the effective withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese soil, seeing this as a strong signal of Washington’s commitment to respecting DRC’s sovereignty and regional stability—they condemn the position taken by Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot. Prévot raised the need for simultaneity between the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and the neutralisation of the FDLR.

For Léonard She Okitundu and his party, this approach risks providing a pretext for delaying the implementation of obligations imposed on Rwanda. They recall that UN Security Council Resolution 2773 demands an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory. In their view, this resolution remains the primary legal and diplomatic framework for achieving a sustainable de-escalation of tensions in eastern DRC.

That is why, in the face of persistent insecurity in several areas affected by armed clashes, the PSDV and its leader not only call on national and international actors to maintain diplomatic pressure to ensure compliance with international commitments and to foster the return of peace, but also reaffirm their attachment to the defence of DRC’s territorial integrity. They advocate for a solution grounded in international law, regional cooperation, and respect for United Nations resolutions.