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 escalating security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He described it as the primary concern for the national representation.

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

“The security situation in the eastern part of our country remains the main concern for national representation. As we conclude these proceedings, our thoughts immediately turn to the east. The Rwandan aggression, involving the terrorist group AFC/M23, along with the horrific massacres carried out by ADF terrorists, continues to spill the blood of our compatriots,” he declared.

Aimé Boji Sangara reiterated the National Assembly’s strong condemnation of the ongoing armed violence and attacks against civilians.

The Assembly Speaker also paid tribute to the defense and security forces, as well as the self-defense groups working alongside the Congolese army.

“From this platform, the National Assembly once again firmly condemns this unjust and deadly 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 Homeland, the Wazalendo, who fight day and night at the risk of their lives. To the battered populations of South Kivu, North Kivu, and Ituri, we say: the Nation has not forgotten you,” he affirmed.

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

The Walungu lawmaker from South Kivu and President 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 auxiliaries, we say it is time for the Rwandan authorities to end their destabilization maneuvers, cease the plundering of our resources, and immediately halt the extermination of our people. Neither expansionist ambitions nor violence will undermine our sovereignty. Not a single inch of our territory will be ceded. Rwanda must understand that geography condemns us to be neighbors forever. War will only perpetuate a hatred whose price will be paid by future generations, and only lasting peace will benefit all,” he stressed.

The security situation in this part of the country continues to deteriorate. Despite the Washington Agreement, secured under the auspices of the United States, and the Doha Process, conducted under the guidance of Qatar and supported by the African Union, along with the succession of 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 an international context marked by declining funding for humanitarian aid.

In response to this situation, voices have risen at national, regional, and international levels to urge all stakeholders to respect the commitments made within peace initiatives. However, these appeals have so far yielded little tangible effect. The gap between ground realities and the diplomatic progress recorded on paper remains wide. Each party continues to interpret the provisions of the agreements according to its own reading, making their implementation increasingly uncertain.