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An aerial view of Brazzaville in the Congo (illustrative image).
The Congolese government announced on Saturday February 26 that it had set up a crisis unit to identify and organize the repatriation of Congolese living in Ukraine, a country currently under bombardment by Russia. But the opposition wants more urgent action.
With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Loïcia Martial
During a session of oral questions with debate before Parliament, the government was challenged by deputies on the situation of Congolese living in Ukraine. Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso assured that the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and those of Higher Education were working permanently in this crisis unit, placed under his supervision.
The head of government invited Congolese who have relatives in Ukraine to approach this cell if they wish to have more information. The Congo has hundreds of nationals on Ukrainian soil, including 300 students. Nearly 160 of them have already been identified by the authorities, according to the Prime Minister.
The opposition wants the government to hurry
For his part, the opponent Dave Mafoula, presidential candidate for 2021, asked the government authorities to act urgently. ” When things are not going well, we have to go get our compatriots to bring them home. The best would be to bring them home as soon as possible because the situation is very serious “suggested Mr. Mafoula.
Dave Mafoula urges the international community to use its diplomacy to end hostilities in Ukraine. The Congo has established diplomatic relations since 1964 with Russia, which invaded Ukraine a few days ago.
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