Eastern DRC: National unity unshaken despite occupation, says Assembly President Aimé Boji
- Security
The President of the National Assembly, Aimé Boji Sangara, has paid tribute to the resilience of populations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) affected by ongoing armed conflicts while firmly reaffirming the National Assembly’s unwavering commitment to national unity and territorial integrity.
During his address on Monday, June 15, 2026, marking the closure of the March 2026 ordinary session, he first honored internally displaced persons and refugees whose humanitarian situation remains dire. Addressing the populations of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, he conveyed a message of solidarity and hope amid the hardships imposed by armed conflicts.
“This is an opportunity to salute the remarkable resilience of our internally displaced and refugee compatriots. Their suffering remains at the heart of the National Assembly’s concerns. It is fitting to send a message of solidarity and hope to our brothers and sisters in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, who continue to demonstrate resilience and resistance in the face of trials imposed by Rwandan troops and their affiliates, the AFC/M23,” he declared.
Speaking in both Swahili and French, the Speaker of the Lower House reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between eastern DRC and the Democratic Republic of Congo, emphasizing that the current occupation cannot be permanent.
“North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri are and will forever remain integral parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a blessed gift and sacred legacy bequeathed by our ancestors. We are convinced that the illegal occupation plaguing our eastern region is neither definitive nor irreversible. Like all unjust situations in the history of peoples, this barbaric occupation will come to an end.”
Addressing those advocating for the country’s balkanization, Aimé Boji Sangara warned against any attempt to undermine national unity or question the allegiance of populations living in occupied zones. He underscored the unbroken connection between all Congolese, despite the current security crisis marked by aggression and occupation attributed to AFC/M23, backed by Rwanda.
“This is the moment to firmly tell those who believe our brothers and sisters in occupied territories can renounce their national belonging or conspire against the nation that they are mistaken. We stand in perfect communion with them and continue to relentlessly defend national unity, territorial integrity, and our country’s sovereignty. Indeed, our greatest weapon against adversity is not merely military—it is above all our deep sense of patriotism, national unity, and resilience,” he stated.
He rejected any attempt to divide or manipulate populations in eastern DRC, reaffirming the indivisible nature of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the institutions’ determination to defend every inch of national territory.
“Let the dark forces attacking our country in the east and attempting to mislead our compatriots in occupied areas know that we will oppose them with an impenetrable wall of solidarity. The Democratic Republic of Congo is one, indivisible, and diverse. Whether you are in Goma, Muanda, Gemena, or Lubumbashi, the blood flowing in the east is ours. National unity is not an empty word—it is the foundation of our survival and greatness. They must understand that we will defend every square millimeter of our territory,” he asserted.
The security situation in this part of the country continues to deteriorate. Despite the Washington Agreement, secured under U.S. auspices, and the Doha process led by Qatar with African Union support, along with ongoing evaluation meetings, the security and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC remains alarming. Civilian populations across the country are the primary victims of violence and forced displacement, exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian situation in a context of declining international funding for humanitarian aid.
In response, voices across national, regional, and international levels continue to call on stakeholders to honor their commitments under peace initiatives. However, these appeals have yet to yield tangible results. The gap between diplomatic progress on paper and ground realities persists, as each party interprets the agreements according to its own reading, rendering their implementation increasingly uncertain.
By Clément Muamba
