• Security
• Friday, June 19, 2026 – 10:44

In a powerful address delivered during the closing of the March 2026 ordinary session, Aimé Boji Sangara, President of the National Assembly, reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and those living in conflict-affected regions of the East, particularly North-Kivu, South-Kivu, and Ituri.

Addressing the nation on Monday, June 15, 2026, he first paid tribute to internally displaced persons and refugees, whose humanitarian plight remains dire. His message of solidarity extended to the resilient populations of the East, who continue to endure the hardships imposed by armed conflict and foreign-backed aggression.

“Today, we honor the remarkable resilience of our internally displaced brothers and sisters and refugees. Their suffering remains at the heart of our national concerns. Let me take this opportunity to send a message of solidarity and hope to our fellow citizens in North-Kivu, South-Kivu, and Ituri, who continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience in the face of trials imposed by Rwandan troops and their allies, the AFC/M23.”

In a dual-language address blending Swahili and French, the Speaker of the National Assembly underscored the indelible link between the eastern regions and the rest of the DRC, dismissing any notion of permanent occupation.

“North-Kivu, South-Kivu, and Ituri are, and will forever remain, integral parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo—a blessed gift and sacred legacy from our ancestors. We firmly believe that the illegal occupation plaguing our eastern territories is neither permanent nor irreversible. Like all unjust situations in the history of peoples, this barbaric occupation will come to an end.”

Boji Sangara issued a stern warning to those advocating for the country’s dismemberment, emphasizing that no individual or group living in occupied zones can renounce their national identity or betray the motherland. He declared the unity between all Congolese as unassailable, regardless of temporary circumstances.

“To those who believe our brothers and sisters in occupied territories can abandon their national allegiance or conspire against the nation, I say: you are mistaken. We stand in unwavering solidarity with them and will continue to defend, without relent, the national unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of our country. Our greatest weapon is not merely military might—it is our deep-rooted patriotism, national unity, and resilience.”

The Speaker rejected any attempts to divide or manipulate the populations of the East, reaffirming the indivisibility of the DRC and the determination of its institutions to defend every inch of its territory. He declared:

“Let the dark forces attacking our country in the East and seeking to mislead our compatriots in occupied zones know this: they will face an unbreakable wall of solidarity. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one, indivisible, and diverse. Whether in Goma, Muanda, Gemena, or Lubumbashi, the blood spilled in the East is our blood. National unity is not an empty slogan—it is the foundation of our survival and greatness. Let them understand clearly: we will defend every square millimeter of our territory to the last.”

Despite international diplomatic efforts—including the Washington Agreement and the Doha Process, supported by the African Union—security and humanitarian conditions in the East continue to deteriorate. Civilian populations bear the brunt of escalating violence and forced displacements, exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis amid dwindling international aid funding.

While calls for peace resonate at national, regional, and global levels, tangible progress remains elusive. Diplomatic commitments often clash with divergent interpretations, rendering their implementation uncertain. The gap between diplomatic progress and ground realities persists, leaving communities in the East trapped in a cycle of suffering.

Clément Muamba