Félix Tshisekedi: "June 30 is at once a memory, a promise, and a responsibility"

On the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Congo's independence on June 30, President Félix Tshisekedi delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of the date as "memory, promise, and responsibility." He stated that June 30 honors those whose courage and sacrifice secured freedom, upholding the ideals of unity, dignity, and sovereignty.

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June 30 is at once a memory, a promise, and a responsibility.

"It is also a promise made to each generation to never renounce the ideal of a free, united, and sovereign Congo," Tshisekedi declared. "It is finally a responsibility; that of protecting, deepening, and embodying every day the independence conquered by our fathers, in our institutions, our economy, our diplomacy, our national defense, and our collective commitment to the service of the Republic."

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It is also a promise made to each generation to never renounce the ideal of a free, united, and sovereign Congo. It is finally a responsibility; that of protecting, deepening, and embodying every day the independence conquered by our fathers, in our institutions, our economy, our diplomacy, our national defense, and our collective commitment to the service of the Republic.

President Tshisekedi acknowledged the grave context in which the national holiday falls, particularly the ongoing "consequences of aggression" in the eastern part of the country. He spoke of the suffering endured by Congolese citizens due to armed groups, terrorism, violence against civilians, forced displacement, looting, economic predation, and repeated violations of international law. He offered reassurance to those affected, including victims of violence, displaced families, children deprived of education, and young people lacking prospects due to war and fear, stating, "you are not forgotten."

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In the East of our country, our compatriots continue to suffer the painful consequences of aggression, the activism of armed groups, terrorists, violence against civilians, forced displacements, looting, economic predation, and repeated violations of international law.

Furthermore, Tshisekedi addressed the resurgence of the Ebola Bundibugyo epidemic, describing it as a "new health ordeal" affecting health zones in the Ituri province. He announced a comprehensive response plan, budgeted at $319 million, to combat the outbreak. "Faced with this threat, response mechanisms have been rapidly activated," he said, highlighting the nation's strengthened capacities to prevent, detect, manage, and protect populations, drawing on experience from previous Ebola outbreaks. The government has already mobilized essential resources to support field operations, limit the spread of the disease, and save lives. He commended the efforts of healthcare professionals, researchers, community workers, and partners involved in the response.

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you are not forgotten.