Sama Lukonde Presents DRC as a “Solution Country” on Climate Change and Condemns

Yaoundé, July 13, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo used the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) in Cameroon to highlight its environmental potential and call for stronger international support in addressing the consequences of insecurity in the east of the country. Held from July 6 to 11 in Yaoundé, the Francophone parliamentary gathering brought together more than 300 lawmakers representing 42 parliamentary sections from across the Francophone world. The DRC’s delegation was led by Senate President Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge, who placed climate change and the security crisis in eastern Congo at the center of his intervention. Speaking during the session, Sama Lukonde emphasized the strategic role of the DRC in global environmental protection, presenting the country as a major contributor to climate solutions due to its vast forests, biodiversity, and natural resources. “Our country naturally positions itself as a true solution-oriented country,” he said, highlighting the importance of the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest, and its critical role in regulating the global climate. The Senate President also highlighted the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor initiative, a vast conservation and development project covering more than 500,000 square kilometers aimed at supporting climate action, protecting ecosystems, and promoting sustainable development. However, he warned that decades of crises have weakened the country’s ability to fully contribute to global environmental efforts. According to him, international responses remain insufficient considering the scale of both ecological challenges and the pressures facing communities dependent on forest resources. Sama Lukonde also linked armed conflicts to environmental destruction, accusing the ongoing instability in eastern DRC involving the AFC/M23 movement of causing severe humanitarian and ecological damage. He argued that violence has resulted not only in deaths and displacement but also in the destruction of ecosystems, wildlife, vegetation, and water resources. “We cannot claim to ensure climate balance as long as we plunder and massively destroy natural resources through war,” he warned, calling for stronger international engagement in support of peace initiatives and the implementation of existing agreements aimed at ending the conflict. The Senate President urged Francophone countries to support a genuine climate partnership based on solidarity, particularly by taking into account the needs of communities living near forest areas. He also announced Kinshasa’s support for Juliana Lumumba’s candidacy for the leadership of the International Organisation of La Francophonie. Beyond high-level discussions, the APF session provided a platform for Francophone parliamentarians to debate political, democratic, economic, social, cultural, and environmental challenges affecting member countries. The event also included the 11th edition of the Francophone Youth Parliament, which brought together 61 young participants from 29 French-speaking parliamentary sections, alongside representatives from partner institutions. The initiative, supported by Francophone organizations for more than two decades, aims to strengthen youth participation in democratic dialogue and international cooperation. Through its participation in Yaoundé, the DRC sought to reinforce its diplomatic message: positioning itself not only as a country rich in natural resources, but also as a key actor in global climate solutions while calling for greater attention to the environmental consequences of conflicts affecting its territory.