On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Ambassador Rémi Maréchaux, France’s envoy to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), used the occasion of France’s national holiday to underscore his country’s unwavering commitment to peace initiatives in eastern DRC and its active role within the United Nations Security Council.
The French diplomat addressed an audience gathered at his residence in Kinshasa, emphasizing that Bastille Day commemorates not the nation’s independence or a political leader, but the 1789 French Revolution and its foundational values of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Multilateral engagement for peace in eastern DRC
Maréchaux highlighted France’s pivotal role in shaping recent UN Security Council resolutions aimed at resolving the prolonged conflict in eastern DRC. He specifically mentioned Resolution 2773, unanimously adopted by the Council, which establishes key principles for a lasting solution. The resolution calls for an immediate end to hostilities by the M23 group, the withdrawal of its forces, and the dismantling of parallel administrations. Additionally, it demands that the Rwandan army cease its support for M23 and withdraw from Congolese territory.
The ambassador also referenced two other critical resolutions: Resolution 2808, which extended the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) for another year, and Resolution 2825 (2026), which renewed sanctions against the DRC until July 1, 2027. The latter also extends the mandate of the Group of Experts tasked with monitoring sanctions implementation.
Maréchaux praised ongoing mediation efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and the African Union, stating, “The choice of diplomacy has never been a sign of weakness. A negotiated solution must uphold the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Strengthening bilateral cooperation
Beyond multilateral frameworks, the French envoy stressed the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation between France and the DRC, particularly in security. He pointed to recent initiatives such as the regeneration of a Jungle Brigade battalion in Kisangani in March 2026, with French military instructors providing training. A second battalion is slated for regeneration in October 2026.
Maréchaux also celebrated the DRC’s growing international presence, noting its temporary presidency of the UN Security Council this month. He highlighted the country’s active roles in the UN Human Rights Council and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, as well as its enhanced engagement in the Francophonie with the candidacy of Juliana Lumumba for Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie.
Advocating for inclusive multilateralism amid global tensions
The ambassador framed France’s support for the DRC within a broader vision of inclusive multilateralism, emphasizing the need to integrate African nations more fully into global governance. He argued that this approach is essential in countering the current trend of power imbalances in international relations, where stronger states impose their will on weaker ones.
Clément Muamba
