A Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a country in Central Africa, has been elected twice as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council: in 1982-1983 and again in 1991-1992, during the Gulf War, recalled the head of Democratic-Congolese diplomacy, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, before diplomats.

On this last occasion, this neighboring country of Angola “played a key role in condemning Iraq for its invasion of Kuwait“, the minister highlighted and added:

“After more than three decades of absence from the Security Council, our country presents itself again as a candidate, supported by the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).”

On September 25, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi announced his country's candidacy in a speech to the UN General Assembly. On the same day, several hundred people demonstrated in Kinshasa against the initiative, denouncing the "repeated human rights violations" in the country.

The election for this non-permanent seat on the Security Council is scheduled for next June. Kayikwamba Wagner praised the DRC's experience, hosting one of the largest UN peacekeeping missions in the world (MONUSCO, formerly MONUC, which currently has 15 personnel).blue helmets".

If elected, the DRC intends to “influence the debate on the reform of peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations, as well as the reform of the United Nations collective security system“, said Kayikwamba Wagner.

The DRC, a country that shares a border with Angola, has been experiencing violence and armed conflict in its eastern and northeastern provinces for 30 years. Kinshasa promised to make its "experience in strengthening conflict resolution mechanisms (…) to avoid wars and international tensions".

The Security Council, considered the most powerful body of the United Nations, is responsible for maintaining international peace and security and can adopt legally binding decisions, as well as having the power to impose sanctions or authorize the use of force.

Several African countries, including South Africa and Nigeria, are seeking permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council. Currently, only five countries have permanent membership: China, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Russia.

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