DRC Deputies Suspend Parliament Work Over State of Siege Debate

Deputies elected from the North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have suspended their participation in the National Assembly's work. This action stems from their strong protest against what they describe as a lack of political will to evaluate the state of siege, which has been in place in their regions for over five years.

The tension escalated during a closed-door plenary session dedicated to the state of siege, attended by the ministers of Interior, Defense, and Justice. The concerned deputies left the hemicycle in protest, feeling the debate was not proceeding as expected. They expressed deep dissatisfaction with what they perceive as a blockage and a failure to address the gravity of the situation in eastern Congo.

Furaha Uma Daniel, a deputy from Ituri, and Safari Nganizi Jacques, a deputy from North Kivu and president of their caucus, voiced their discontent. Daniel highlighted the absence of a fundamental debate on the security situation, specifically mentioning "the aggression of the DRC by Rwanda via the M23" and the massacres attributed to the ADF in territories like Beni, Mambasa, and Irumu. He questioned the electoral consequences of such violence, asking, "If these populations are exterminated, who will vote for us?"

Safari Nganizi Jacques detailed the deputies' long-standing requests for a genuine parliamentary debate on the state of siege since its imposition in 2021. He expressed shock at the decision made during the closed-door session to suspend debates, calling it "deplorable." He emphasized the ongoing critical insecurity, noting recent ADF attacks in Beni and the broader instability in North Kivu and Ituri. Nganizi accused some colleagues of taking the issue lightly and being swayed by manipulation, despite the presence of relevant ministers.