Eastern drc: aimé boji underscores unwavering national belonging in occupied territories

Aimé Boji Sangara, the esteemed President of the National Assembly, recently lauded the extraordinary resilience of communities grappling with armed conflicts across the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He emphatically reiterated the legislative body’s steadfast stance on the nation’s unity and territorial integrity.

During his address on Monday, June 15, 2026, marking the conclusion of the ordinary session for March 2026, President Boji first paid tribute to the internally displaced persons and refugees, whose humanitarian plight remains a profound concern. He then extended a message of unwavering solidarity and hope to the residents of Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, and Ituri, acknowledging their enduring fortitude in the face of adversities imposed by Rwandan forces and their affiliates, the AFC/M23.

“This moment allows me to commend the remarkable resilience displayed by our displaced compatriots and refugees. Their suffering remains at the forefront of the National Assembly’s priorities. I wish to convey a message of solidarity and hope to our brothers and sisters in Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, and Ituri, who continue to demonstrate unwavering resilience and resistance against the trials inflicted upon them by Rwandan troops and their proxies, the AFC/M23,” he declared.

In a powerful statement delivered in both Swahili and French, the President of the lower house unequivocally affirmed the enduring bond between the eastern provinces and the Democratic Republic of Congo, asserting that the current state of occupation cannot be permanent.

“Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, and Ituri are, and will forever remain, an integral part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a blessed gift from God and a sacred heritage bequeathed by our ancestors. We are firmly convinced that the illegal occupation plaguing our eastern territories is neither definitive nor irreversible. Like all unjust situations throughout history, this barbaric occupation will eventually cease.”

Addressing those who advocate for the balkanization of the country, Aimé Boji Sangara issued a stern warning against any attempts to challenge national unity or the allegiance of populations residing in occupied zones. He underscored the unbreakable connection among Congolese citizens, despite the ongoing security crisis marked by aggressive warfare and occupation attributed to the AFC/M23, reportedly backed by Rwanda.

“It is imperative to state clearly to all who believe that our brothers and sisters living in occupied territories might forsake their national identity or conspire against the homeland, that they are mistaken. We remain in perfect communion with them and will tirelessly defend national unity, territorial integrity, and the sovereignty of our nation. Indeed, our most potent weapon against adversity is not solely military; it is, above all, our profound sense of patriotism, our national unity, and our resilience,” he proclaimed.

He vehemently rejected any efforts to sow division or exploit the people of Eastern DRC. He reaffirmed the indivisible nature of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the unwavering resolve of its institutions to protect every inch of national territory.

“Let the shadowy forces aggressing our country in the East, attempting to disorient our compatriots in occupied areas, understand that we will oppose them with an impenetrable wall of solidarity. The Democratic Republic of Congo is one, indivisible, and pluralistic. Whether you are in Goma, Muanda, Gemena, or Lubumbashi, the blood shed in the East is our own. National unity is not an empty phrase; it is the bedrock of our survival and our greatness. They should know well that we will defend ourselves down to the last square millimeter of our territory,” he asserted.

Nevertheless, the security situation in this part of the country continues to worsen. Despite the existence of the Washington Agreement, brokered with the support of the United States of America, and the Doha process, facilitated by the State of Qatar with African Union backing, and despite successive evaluation meetings, the security and humanitarian conditions in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remain critical. Civilian populations in this region continue to bear the brunt of violence and forced displacement, further exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis, compounded by a global decline in humanitarian funding.

In response to this dire situation, calls for all stakeholders to honor their peace commitments continue to emanate from national, regional, and international levels. However, these appeals have, thus far, yielded no significant impact. The objective of bridging the persistent gap between ground realities and documented diplomatic progress struggles to materialize. Each party, in essence, continues to interpret the provisions of the agreements according to its own perspective, rendering their implementation increasingly uncertain.