After due deliberation and discussion within the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it has been decided that it is in the best interests of the Congo to restore the recognition of the Republic of Katanga.

While this is ahead of a United Nations Security Council decision on the matter, the Congo has no reason to heed the hypocritical proposal, should it be accepted, since the reasons brought up by its facilitators have never been voted upon in the UNSC in the same manner regarding Israel. When Iran ceased recognition of Israel in 1979, a measure decidedly more severe than our decision to cease recognising Katanga, the UNSC did not act in the same way.

However, the Congo prefers peaceful, democratic and diplomatic procedures and has taken the words of allied countries and our supporters within Katanga itself to heart. While withdrawing our recognition was a well-supported move, we have to be pragmatic if we wish to achieve an outcome that will sustain itself into the future.