The 51st session of the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly (APF), held in Yaoundé from July 6 to 11, 2026, provided the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a pivotal platform to voice its concerns. Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge, President of the Congolese Senate, delivered a keynote address that underscored two critical issues: the DRC’s ecological responsibility and the environmental toll of the ongoing conflict in the eastern region, fueled by Rwanda-backed armed groups.

The session, which convened over 300 parliamentarians from 42 national and subnational sections across the Francophonie, served as a stage for the DRC to assert its role as a “solution country” in global climate efforts. Sama Lukonde emphasized the nation’s ecological assets, particularly the Congo Basin—recognized as the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest—and its unparalleled biodiversity.

DRC’s Environmental Leadership Under Threat

The Senate President highlighted the DRC’s ambitious Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor project, spanning over 500,000 km², designed to combat climate change. However, he warned that decades of conflict have severely undermined these efforts, with the M23-AFC alliance—backed by Rwanda—exacerbating ecological destruction through armed aggression.

“One cannot claim to address climate balance while, through war, we systematically plunder and devastate natural resources,” Sama Lukonde declared. “The international community’s response remains woefully inadequate in the face of these existential challenges.”

Human and Environmental Toll of Conflict

The Senate leader detailed the catastrophic consequences of the M23-AFC’s activities: mass displacement, loss of life, and irreversible damage to ecosystems. Water sources have been contaminated, wildlife habitats destroyed, and agricultural lands rendered barren. These violations, he argued, extend beyond humanitarian crises to threaten regional and global ecological stability.

Sama Lukonde called for urgent, concrete action from Francophonie members, urging support for peace accords and the implementation of the Washington Agreements. He also advocated for a Francophonie Climate Pact, emphasizing solidarity and the inclusion of forest-adjacent communities in climate resilience strategies.

Diplomatic Call for Solidarity

In a symbolic gesture, the DRC pledged its backing for the candidacy of Julianna Lumumba to lead the Francophonie, signaling its commitment to multilateral cooperation. The assembly, hosted by Cameroon’s APF section, included parallel discussions at the 11th Francophonie Youth Parliament, uniting 61 young delegates from 29 sections to address shared challenges.