DRC-UN: President Tshisekedi for the strict respect of international law

Kinshasa, February 15^th, 2026 (CPA). – The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo has insisted, on Saturday, on the strict respect of international law, during an exchange with the UN General Secretary, on the side-lines of the 39^th General Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU, according to the Congolese Presidency. ‘The President of the Republic has reaffirmed the country’s commitment in the consolidation of peace efforts, the need to move from exhortations to acts, in order to ensure the strict respect of international law and commitments undertaken within the framework of regional and international mechanisms,’ the source has indicated. This exchange, the Presidency has added, has focused on the development of the security situation in the Great Lakes region. ‘They have spoken of the excellent cooperation between DRC and the UN before talking about the state of the security situation in the Great Lakes region, the strengthening of multilateralism and the strategic role of DRC as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council,’ the source has specified, while indicating that the Congolese Head of State has also insisted on the urgency of credible technical support from the UN Mission in DRC (MONUSCO) to ensure the operationalization of the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2808. For his part, UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres has reassured President Tshisekedi of the United Nations’ support in implementing the established ceasefire architecture. Furthermore, he has welcomed DRC’s entry into the UN Security Council and its commitment to defend fair and effective multilateralism. A position that reflects, according to the UN official, the aspirations of Africa to play a central role in world governance. DRC’s presence on the Security Council goes beyond the scope of a national ambition. It is part of an African trajectory based on cooperation, dialogue, collective responsibility and strong and equitable representation of Africa in the decisions that shape the future of the world, the Presidency has specified. On Friday, on the eve of the AU Ordinary Summit, the Congolese government has announced that it has accepted the ceasefire principle with a view to the peaceful resolution of the armed conflict in the eastern part of the country, which has been attacked by Rwanda. It has nevertheless warned against any attempt of military or other consolidation of positions, which could compromise the credibility of the process. ACP/