Eastern DRC crisis: Aimé Boji rejects claims of national abandonment by occupied populations

The President of the National Assembly, Aimé Boji Sangara, has strongly reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and those living in areas currently under occupation in the East of the country.

In a powerful address delivered during the closing session of the March 2026 parliamentary term, he paid tribute to internally displaced persons and refugees, whose humanitarian situation remains dire. Speaking directly to the populations of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, he conveyed a message of solidarity and hope in the face of the ongoing armed conflicts.

“It is crucial to honor the remarkable resilience of our internally displaced and refugee compatriots. Their suffering is at the very heart of our national priorities,” he declared. Addressing the populations directly affected by the occupation, he stated:

“I must take this opportunity to extend a message of solidarity and hope to our brothers and sisters in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri. Despite the trials imposed upon them by Rwandan troops and their allies, the AFC/M23, they continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and resistance.”

In a speech delivered in both Swahili and French, Aimé Boji Sangara firmly rejected any notion that the Eastern regions could ever be separated from the DRC. He emphasized that the current occupation is neither permanent nor irreversible, and that the unity of the nation would prevail.

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

The President of the National Assembly also issued a stern warning to those advocating for the balkanization of the country, affirming that no attempt to undermine national unity or the belonging of populations in occupied zones would succeed. He underscored the unbreakable connection between all Congolese, regardless of the current security challenges.

“To those who believe that our brothers and sisters in occupied territories can renounce their national allegiance or conspire against the homeland, I say: you are mistaken. We stand in perfect unity with them, and together, we continue to defend our national unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty without respite. Indeed, our greatest weapon against adversity is not merely military might; it is our deep sense of patriotism, our national unity, and our resilience.”

Aimé Boji Sangara dismissed any attempts to divide or manipulate the populations of Eastern DRC, reaffirming the indivisible nature of the DRC and the determination of its institutions to defend every inch of its territory.

“Let those shadowy forces attacking our country in the East and attempting to mislead our compatriots in occupied areas know this: we will oppose them with an impenetrable wall of solidarity. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one, indivisible, and diverse. Whether you are in Goma, Muanda, Gemena, or Lubumbashi, the blood flowing in the East is our blood. National unity is not an empty slogan; it is the foundation of our survival and greatness. They must understand this well: we will defend every square millimeter of our territory.”

The situation in Eastern DRC remains a critical concern, despite the existence of the Washington Agreement and the Doha Process, both supported by the African Union. The ongoing insecurity and humanitarian crisis continue to devastate civilian populations, with forced displacements exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian situation. International funding for humanitarian aid has also dwindled, leaving millions vulnerable.

While calls for peace persist at national, regional, and international levels, tangible progress remains elusive. The gap between diplomatic agreements and ground realities continues to widen, as each party interprets the accords according to its own perspective, rendering their implementation increasingly uncertain.

Reporting by Clément Muamba