The President of the National Assembly, Aimé Boji Sangara, dedicated a significant portion of his address during the closing of the March ordinary session on Monday, June 15, 2026, to the alarming security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He described it as the primary concern of the national representation.

From the outset, he underscored the gravity of the situation on the ground. The Speaker of the lower house expressed the Assembly’s deep concern over the escalation of armed violence, particularly in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces, where civilians continue to bear the brunt of these conflicts.

“The security situation in the eastern part of our country remains the main concern of our national representation. As we conclude these proceedings, our thoughts immediately turn to the east of our nation. Rwandan aggression, alongside its terrorist affiliate AFC/M23, and the heinous massacres perpetrated by ADF terrorists continue to spill the blood of our compatriots,” he declared.

In the same vein, Aimé Boji Sangara reiterated the National Assembly’s unwavering condemnation of ongoing armed violence and attacks against civilians.

The Speaker also paid tribute to the defense and security forces, as well as the community defense groups fighting alongside the Congolese army.

“From this podium, the National Assembly reaffirms its strongest condemnation of this deadly and unjust war. It is also an opportunity to pay a vibrant and solemn tribute to our armed forces, the FARDC, and the Voluntary Defense of the Nation (Wazalendo), who fight day and night at the risk of their lives. To the suffering populations of South Kivu, North Kivu, and Ituri, we say: the Nation has not forgotten you,” he assured.

In a particularly firm tone, Aimé Boji Sangara called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and external interference in the eastern part of the country. He reaffirmed the DRC’s determination to preserve its territorial integrity.

The elected representative from Walungu, in South Kivu province, and Speaker of the National Assembly, urged Kigali to recognize the regional imperative of prioritizing lasting peace between neighbors.

“To the Rwandan aggressors and their AFC/M23 affiliates, we say it is time for the Rwandan authorities to halt their destabilization maneuvers, cease the plundering of our resources, and immediately end the extermination of our people. Neither expansionist ambitions nor violence will undermine our sovereignty. No portion of our territory can be conceded. Rwanda must understand that geography condemns us to be neighbors for eternity. War will only perpetuate a hatred whose price future generations will pay, and only lasting peace will benefit all,” he emphasized.

The security situation in this part of the country continues to deteriorate. Despite the Washington Agreement, brokered under the auspices of the United States, and the Doha process conducted under the aegis of Qatar with the support of the African Union—along with successive evaluation meetings—the security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC remains dire. Civilian populations across the country continue to be the primary victims of violence and forced displacement, further aggravating an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis in a global context marked by dwindling funding for humanitarian aid.

In response to this crisis, voices at national, regional, and international levels continue to call on all stakeholders to honor their commitments under peace initiatives. However, these appeals have so far yielded little tangible progress. The gap between on-paper diplomatic advances and ground realities persists, as each party interprets the agreements according to its own narrative, rendering their implementation increasingly uncertain.

Clément Muamba