She Okitundu and PSDV back Marco Rubio’s demand for Rwandan troop withdrawal, reject Belgium’s Maxime Prévot stance

Two recent international statements regarding the presence of Rwandan troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have drawn a sharp response from former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, now national deputy, Léonard She Okitundu, as well as his political party, the Green Social Democratic Party (PSDV). The statements in question came from United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, both addressing the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from occupied areas in eastern DRC.

In a declaration dated June 7, 2026, She Okitundu and the PSDV described these international positions as a significant step forward in the search for a lasting solution to the security crisis plaguing the country’s east. They noted that growing global attention to the situation in North Kivu and South Kivu reflects a heightened awareness of the security and humanitarian challenges faced by Congolese communities. The party and its leader believe this diplomatic mobilization could help accelerate peace efforts in a region scarred by armed violence and mass displacement.

However, while the former foreign minister and his party particularly applaud Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s declaration—which reportedly set a deadline for the effective withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese soil, seeing it as a strong signal of US commitment to respecting DRC’s sovereignty and regional stability—they strongly condemn the stance taken by Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot. Prévot had suggested the need for simultaneity between the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and the neutralization of the FDLR.

For Léonard She Okitundu and the PSDV, this approach risks serving as a pretext to delay the implementation of obligations imposed on Rwanda. They recall that United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773 demands an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan forces 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.

Given the persistent insecurity in 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 promote the return of peace, but also reaffirm their dedication to defending the territorial integrity of the DRC. They advocate for a solution grounded in international law, regional cooperation, and respect for United Nations resolutions.