DRC-Canada: Judith Suminwa calls for a strategic and lasting partnership

On an official visit to Canada, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Judith Suminwa Tuluka, is pursuing an agenda marked by strategic meetings.

On Monday November 18, 2024, the Congolese Head of Government was received by Greg Fergus, Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, for an exchange focused on strengthening bilateral relations and mobilizing support for development and peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A plea for a stronger economic partnership!

Judith Suminwa outlined her government’s main priorities to her host, including job creation, economic diversification and the fight against climate change. She highlighted the opportunities offered by the DRC’s rich and strategic soil, while insisting on the need for structuring support from partners like Canada.

“The DRC wants peace. Development can only take place in peace”, she insisted, calling on Canada to use all its diplomatic weight to put an end to military interference in the east of the DRC.

Judith Suminwa also called for concrete action, such as the imposition of targeted sanctions against actors disrupting the peace process.

Canada, a key player in economic and humanitarian cooperation!

Greg Fergus, visibly sensitive to the issues raised, reiterated his country’s desire to intensify its cooperation with Africa and the DRC in particular. He praised the contribution of the Congolese diaspora to Canada, while affirming Canada’s readiness to support the return of peace to the east of the DRC, and to explore avenues of joint investment.

Canada, already the world’s 6th largest contributor to humanitarian aid in the DRC, is a strategic partner that the Prime Minister wishes to mobilize further, in particular to redirect resources from the war effort to long-term development projects.

A promising dialogue for the future!

The exchange between Judith Suminwa and Greg Fergus is part of a process of rapprochement that could lead to concrete actions, both economic and diplomatic.

Prime Minister Judith Suminwa expressed her gratitude for Canada’s support, and invited Fergus to visit the DRC to strengthen bilateral ties.

In a global context where the DRC’s natural resources play a key role, particularly in the energy transition, this dialogue reinforces the Democratic Republic of Congo’s strategic position on the international stage.

Flory Musiswa