Tshisekedi proposes compensation for victims of Congo river patrol clash
DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi proposed compensation during an October 3 visit to Brazzaville after a late-August clash between patrols from the two Congo states. Meeting Denis Sassou Nguesso, he expressed regret and said delegations should report before arrangements for victims were settled. Interior and defence officials will discuss preventing further incidents. The proposal contains no announced amount or completed payment.
Geopolitics··Evening
Compensation proposed at Brazzaville meeting
DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi proposed compensation for victims of a late-August incident between patrols from the two Congo states during an October 3 visit to Brazzaville. He met Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso and expressed regret. Tshisekedi said he wanted to preserve relations between the two peoples. His visit addressed tensions between the neighbours after the earlier river incident and set out a proposed response to those affected.[1], [2]
Delegations must report before arrangements
Tshisekedi said he wanted to meet the victims after the two delegations had worked and submitted a report, to determine how DR Congo could compensate them. He did not specify an amount or a number of beneficiaries. His proposal describes an intention to arrange compensation, rather than money already distributed. He addressed the people of the Republic of Congo, whom he said had been most affected, and described the visit as an effort to ease tensions.[1]
Interior and defence officials discuss prevention
DR Congo’s deputy prime ministers responsible for interior affairs and defence accompanied the president. They were asked to examine ways of avoiding further incidents with their counterparts. The late-August clash involved Republic of Congo naval and gendarmerie personnel and a DR Congo naval patrol near Makotipoko. DR Congo’s defence ministry announced an investigation on August 30. The new diplomatic step is the compensation proposal and work between security institutions; no completed investigation or agreed payment schedule was announced.[1]
