DR Congo wields UN gavel for july, spotlighting global diplomacy
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the entire month of July 2026. This historic milestone comes just six months after the country joined as a non-permanent member for the 2026-2027 term—a diplomatic role the DRC has not held in over three decades, with its last participation dating back to 1990-1991.
Under the guiding principle of “More Peace, More Justice, More Development, and More Multilateralism,” this presidency is spearheaded by Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay. Kinshasa is leveraging this international platform to link collective security with sustainable development, amplifying Africa’s voice on global geopolitical balances.
The DRC’s top priority is the governance of natural resources, with a high-level public debate scheduled for July 22, 2026, led by President Félix Tshisekedi. This event will highlight how the illicit exploitation of minerals fuels armed conflicts. Another key focus is combating sexual violence in conflict zones, a cause championed earlier this month by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka.
While managing ongoing global crises such as those in the Middle East, Sudan, and Haiti, the DRC is also using its platform to draw attention to the war in its eastern region. Without compromising its neutrality as Security Council president, Kinshasa is exposing the humanitarian toll of the aggression it faces, aiming to secure stronger international sanctions against armed groups and their external backers.
