His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Alyson King OBE, delivered a speech on June 19, 2025, at the King’s Birthday Party in Kinshasa.
She emphasized the UK’s commitment to strengthening ties with the DRC through educational scholarships, humanitarian aid, and economic investments while addressing regional conflicts and condemning illegal armed groups.
Strengthening UK-DRC Relations
The diplomatic relationship between the UK and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has spanned over a century.
Ambassador Alyson King OBE highlighted this enduring partnership during her speech at the King’s Birthday Party in Kinshasa. The event marked a significant moment for both nations as they seek deeper collaboration and mutual understanding.
Educational Opportunities and Humanitarian Aid
The UK is increasing its support for Congolese leaders by expanding scholarship opportunities. These fully funded programs aim to enhance educational ties and leadership skills among young Congolese students studying in the UK.
Additionally, new funding initiatives target humanitarian crises in eastern DRC, providing clean water and sanitation to approximately 200,000 displaced individuals.
Economic Investments Boosting Infrastructure
- British companies are investing in infrastructure projects like the first deep-water container port at Banana.
- This investment aims to boost trade opportunities and economic growth within the DRC.
- The UK’s involvement underscores its strategic interest in supporting global supply chains reliant on critical minerals from the region.
Addressing Regional Conflicts
Alyson King condemned illegal armed groups such as M23 for their role in destabilizing eastern DRC. The UK’s decision to suspend financial support to Rwanda due to its involvement with these groups reflects a firm stance on international law and regional stability.
This move aligns with UN Security Council resolutions calling for peace efforts in conflict-affected areas.
Quotes from Alyson King OBE
“We still do not know each other as well as we might.
“It remains my firm conviction that the more we know and understand each other, the more opportunities we will find to do good things together.”
“The UK Government condemns the actions of all illegal armed groups in eastern DRC. The UK Government has expressed its deep concern about the support of Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) to M23 offensives that violate territorial integrity.”
Additional Reading
In a Nutshell
The UK’s renewed focus on strengthening ties with the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights its commitment to fostering development through education, humanitarian aid, and economic investments.
By addressing regional conflicts and supporting infrastructure projects, both nations can look forward to a future of enhanced collaboration and mutual benefits.
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Sources: UK Government, Davis Polk Alumni, PolicyMogul, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Alyson King OBE.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
