Interview with Emmanuel KAZADI TSHISHIKU, Vice President and Senior Program Coordinator — CEMEACO
From November 11 to 23, 2025, CEMEACO led an official mission to Brussels, representing the Democratic Republic of the Congo before Belgian and European institutions. Four strategic meetings, four doors opened—a turning point for the organization.
Against a backdrop of ongoing human rights violations in the provinces of North and South Kivu, CEMEACO decided to take its advocacy to where decisions are made. Led by Mr. Emmanuel Kazadi Tshishiku, Vice President and spokesperson for the organization, and facilitated by Ms. Laetitia Mudoy, CEO of CINTERAD and focal point in Brussels, the delegation carried out a dense and ambitious institutional agenda over thirteen days.
At the DRC Embassy — November 12
The mission began with a meeting with His Excellency Mr. Christian Ndongala Nkuku, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the DRC to the Kingdom of Belgium. CEMEACO’s advocacy report on human rights violations in the Kivu provinces was officially presented. The Ambassador commended the seriousness of the initiative and the professionalism of the delegation—noting in particular that the mission was organized without any financial request. He expressed interest in inviting Mr. Kazadi to give an academic presentation at the University of Leuven and mentioned a desired presence of CEMEACO in Strasbourg, at the European Commission.
At the Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region — November 12
That same afternoon, the delegation was received by Mr. Bertin Mampaka, President of the Brussels Parliament, in the presence of Ms. Aurélie Lopes, CEMEACO’s focal point in Brussels. Discussions focused on citizen diplomacy, the role of elected officials of Congolese origin in European institutions, and prospects for cooperation between the Brussels Parliament and Congolese civil society. The President proposed circulating the advocacy document among the 89 Brussels deputies, 72 of whom are French-speaking, and mentioned the resolution he himself had presented in 2004 regarding the situation in the DRC—a resolution whose possible update was discussed.
At FICEMEA — November 13
The following day, the delegation met with Ms. Yvette Le Comte, President of FICEMEA, and Mr. Godfroid, Financial Director, at the Federation’s headquarters in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. This meeting helped strengthen the synergy between the two organizations around the themes of peace education and citizenship. FICEMEA committed to facilitating contacts with Amnesty International Belgium and other key Belgian stakeholders, and initiated discussions on a transcontinental DRC–Belgium educational program for the 2026–2028 period, particularly drawing inspiration from the model of Niger’s nomadic schools.
At Broederlijk Delen & Pax Christi Vlaanderen — November 20
The latest strategic meeting brought the delegation together with two of Belgium’s most influential NGOs on international peace issues. Broederlijk Delen, which is seeking a credible on-the-ground partner in the DRC for its next programming cycle (2028–2032), invited CEMEACO to apply for the January 2026 pre-selection process. Pax Christi Vlaanderen, for its part, offered media support—connecting with Belgian journalists and helping to amplify a Congolese citizen’s voice in European media.
What This Mission Means for CEMEACO
In thirteen days, CEMEACO has crossed several milestones: diplomatic recognition, parliamentary dialogue, and an operational partnership with leading European NGOs. The organization returns from Brussels with doors open, concrete commitments from both sides, and a busy roadmap for 2026—presentations in Leuven and Strasbourg, an application dossier for Broederlijk Delen, and a post-conflict educational program to be developed jointly with FICEMEA.
The voice of the Congo has been heard in Brussels. The work continues.