Dear Madam, Sir,
We are pleased to invite you to an evening conference hosted by the Centre for Security and Defence Studies of the Royal Higher Institute for Defence on Tuesday 15 September 2026 from 17:00 until 18:30.
The security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to evolve rapidly, shaped by interconnected local, national and regional dynamics. While international attention has largely focused on the resurgence of the M23/Alliance fleuve Congo (AFC) movement in North and South Kivu, as well as on the resulting tensions between the DRC, Rwanda and other regional actors, insecurity in Ituri also remains a critical component of the broader regional crisis. There, the persistent threat posed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the continued involvement of the Ugandan army add further complexity to an already fragmented security landscape.
During this evening conference, we will examine the current interplay between these theatres of conflict as well as between local armed groups and national security forces. The discussion will address the regional dimensions of insecurity in eastern Congo, the role of state and non-state armed actors, and cross-border military cooperation. Particular attention will be paid to the evolving relationships between the M23/AFC insurgency, the threat posed by ADF and the strategies adopted by both regional governments and international partners in response to these challenges.
We are honoured to welcome Professor Kristof Titeca of the Institute of Development Policy (IOB) of the University of Antwerp, who is also Senior Associate Fellow in the Africa programme at Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations. He will provide a deeper understanding of the changing security environment in the eastern DRC and its significance for the wider Great Lakes region.
This conference will be held in English at one of the conference rooms at campus Renaissance (entrance: rue Hobbema 8/Hobbemastraat 8, 1000 Brussels) on Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 17:00. Simultaneous interpretation in Dutch and French will depend on the progress of the renovation work in the Frank De Winne conference room and cannot be guaranteed at this time. Please note that online participation will not be possible.
Kindly register in advance at www.defence-institute.be. Registration is required by Tuesday 8 September 2026 at the latest.
