aimé boji emphasizes drc-Rwanda eternal neighborhood amid eastern conflict

Aimé Boji Sangara, President of the National Assembly, dedicated a significant portion of his address during the closing of the ordinary March session on Monday, June 15, 2026, to the critical security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, labeling it the paramount concern for the national representation.

From the outset of his speech, he underscored the severe nature of the ongoing crisis. The leader of the lower house conveyed the National Assembly’s profound apprehension regarding the persistent armed violence, particularly across the provinces of Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, and Ituri, where civilian populations endure the devastating repercussions of these conflicts.

“The security landscape in our nation’s East remains the foremost concern for the national legislature. As we conclude our proceedings, our thoughts are immediately drawn to the eastern regions. The Rwandan aggression, supported by its AFC/M23 terrorist proxies, alongside the heinous massacres perpetrated by ADF terrorists, continues to shed the blood of our fellow citizens,” he declared during his address.

In a consistent vein, Aimé Boji Sangara reaffirmed the National Assembly’s resolute condemnation of the ongoing armed hostilities and assaults targeting civilians.

The Speaker of the lower chamber also paid tribute to the dedicated defense and security forces, as well as the self-defense groups, known as Wazalendo, who fight alongside the Congolese army.

“From this platform, the National Assembly reiterates its most unequivocal condemnation of this deadly and unjust conflict. This moment serves to pay a vibrant and solemn homage to our armed forces, the FARDC, and to the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland, the Wazalendo, who courageously battle day and night, risking their lives. To the suffering populations of Sud-Kivu, Nord-Kivu, and Ituri, we assure you: the Nation has not forgotten you,” he affirmed.

With a notably firm tone, Aimé Boji Sangara urged an immediate cessation of hostilities and external meddling in the country’s East. He further underscored the Democratic Republic of Congo’s unwavering resolve to safeguard its territorial integrity.

The representative from Walungu, located in Sud-Kivu province, and head of the National Assembly, called upon Kigali to foster a regional understanding regarding the imperative of prioritizing enduring peace between neighboring states.

“To the Rwandan aggressors and their AFC/M23 proxies, we declare that it is time for the Rwandan government to cease its destabilizing maneuvers, halt the plundering of our resources, and immediately end the extermination of our people. Neither expansionist ambitions nor violence will undermine our sovereignty. No part of our territory can be surrendered. Rwanda must grasp that geography binds us as eternal neighbors. War will only perpetuate a hatred that future generations will bear the cost of, and only lasting peace will benefit everyone,” he emphasized in his address.

Nevertheless, the security situation in this region of the country continues its downward spiral. Despite the Washington Agreement, brokered under the auspices of the United States, and the Doha process, facilitated by the State of Qatar with African Union support, and despite successive evaluation meetings, the security and humanitarian conditions in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remain profoundly troubling. Civilian populations in this part of the DRC continue to bear the brunt of violence and forced displacement, further exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis, compounded by a global context of diminishing humanitarian aid funding.

In response to this dire state of affairs, calls persist from national, regional, and international levels, urging all stakeholders to honor their commitments made within peace initiatives. However, these appeals have, thus far, yielded no significant impact. The goal of bridging the persistent gap between ground realities and the diplomatic progress documented on paper continues to be elusive. Each party, in practice, interprets the provisions of these agreements according to its own understanding, rendering their implementation increasingly precarious.