Molly Phee: "We can all agree that no One is satisfied with the situation in Eastern DRCongo. "
From Washington D.C, by Fabrice Iranzi
“While we value the initiative by DRCongo neighbors to try and improve the situation, it has not achieved the goals that were set out by the East Africa Community.” Said Molly Phee, the the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs this On Monday July 23rd during a Press Briefing, in Washington D.C, responding to a question by RegionWeek’s Journalist, a participant in a delegation of twelve journalists from across Africa touring three states (Washington D.C, Tennessee, and Montanna) under the “Leaders of Today and Tomorrow: An Exploration of Youth Activism and Empowerment” reporting tour, a project by the Foreign Press Centers.
The Crisis in Eastern DRC and neighbours initiatives
Between a rafale of questions and camera’s flashes, the question about the crisis in East of DRC emerged and as for many other questions the briefers, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Judd Devermont the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council and Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Special Presidential Rep for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation, responded with details on the position of the United States.
Commenting on how the U.S view the progress in the Eastern part of DRC, precisely on the EAC troops are tasked with diffusing the tension flared up in DRC by rebel groups, Molly Phee said that “we can all agree that none is satisfied with the situation in Eastern DRCongo.” noting that the notable success would be that the EAC troops have served as a buffer force between different belligerents.
She regretted that in terms of ending the conflicts the EAC troops have not yet achieved that goal. She reiterated that the United States will continue to support the initiative by DRCongo neighbors.
In february 2023, On the margins of the African Union Summit Molly Phee met with João Manuel Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola; Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the DRC; Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; and Jeje Odongo, Foreign Minister of Uganda. Assistant Secretary Phee discussed with regional leaders the shared commitment to achieve peace and stability in eastern DRC and the urgent need for revitalization of the peace processes.
Early in May 2023, Christophe Lutundula, Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DR Congo or DRC) deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs told the press that the East African Community regional force sent to the country’s conflict-ridden east failed to deliver “expected results,”
The EAC regional force was deployed in November 2022, with a mandate of supporting a peace process that would see the M23 withdraw. The regional force comprising troops from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan has secured some positions vacated by the rebels in their gradual withdrawal.
U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit
During the briefing at the National Press building several topics were covered such as updates on partnerships advance in shared priority areas, including sustainable energy, health systems, food security/agribusiness, digital connectivity, infrastructure, and finance.
The briefers highlighted the investment value of deals and partnerships committed during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit increased by a half a billion dollars from $15.7 billion to $16.2 billion. Noting the importance of catalyzing trade and investment deals and partnerships which will create jobs and foster shared prosperity for people across the African continent and the United States.
They also emphasized that there has been an unprecedented pace of U.S. Cabinet or principal level travel to Africa since December, including Vice President Kamala Harris; Secretaries Janet Yellen of U.S. Department of Treasury, Antony Blinken of U.S. Department of State, Lloyd J. Austin of U.S. Department of Defense, Miguel Cardona of U.S. Department of Education, and Marcia L. Fudge of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Administrator Samantha Power of U.S. Agency for International Development; UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield; First Lady Dr. Jill Biden; and U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh Ebong.
As the Atlantic Council notes, In 2021, investment flowing to Africa reached a record eighty-three billion dollars. The private sector is working to support policymakers in addressing Africa’s economic and green transformation. One of the key initiatives is “Prosper Africa” a whole-of-government initiative that leverages the services and resources of 17 U.S. Government agencies to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa.