Fatshimetrie recently reported that the Senate of the Democratic Republic of Congo has approved the 83rd extension of the state of siege in North Kivu and Ituri under the presidency of Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde. This decision came after a vote in which 72 senators expressed their support for the extension, while 2 opposed and 1 abstained.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Jacquemain Shabani, stressed the urgency and necessity of extending this state of exception, arguing that the initial objective of restoring security in the region has not yet been fully achieved. Indeed, the security situation remains worrying, and the extension of the state of siege is considered essential to allow the Defense and Security Forces to continue their operations against armed groups that threaten peace in the east of the country.
Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, President of the Senate, also addressed the issue of assessing the state of siege and discussed the prerequisites for holding a round table on this subject. He recalled the importance of setting up the Senate’s Defense and Security Committee and the availability of the President of the Republic to carry out this assessment.
In an approach of parliamentary diplomacy, the President of the Senate encouraged his colleagues to get involved in the various parliamentary friendship groups to defend the interests of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This decision by the Senate comes in addition to that of the National Assembly, which also approved the extension of the state of siege. Once the text has been adopted in second reading by both chambers, it will be forwarded to the President of the Republic for promulgation.
In summary, this extension of the state of siege in North Kivu and Ituri demonstrates the determination of the Congolese authorities to restore security and stability in this region where major security challenges persist. The next few weeks will be crucial for the future of these provinces and for the country as a whole.