Kinshasa, October 22nd, 2026 (CPA).- Three priority actions were proposed on Thursday by the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in the context of conflict prevention and peace building in Africa, during a Pan-African Forum on Peace and Non-Violence in Luanda, Angola.
“I propose that we give this ambition an explicit focus on conflict prevention, mediation and peace building. Three priorities should guide our action. The first is to prevent tensions through common rules and trust in information,” said President Félix Tshisekedi at the opening of the 4th Luanda Biennale.
For the Congolese Head of State, states that share a river, a lake or an aquifer must be able to regularly discuss their needs, their projects and the risks to which they are exposed.
As a second priority, he referred to the development of cooperation on water as a means of supporting mediation and the restoration of trust between communities.
“The second priority is to ensure that cooperation on water issues supports mediation and the restoration of trust between communities that are wary of one another. Jointly managing a water source or agreeing on rules for access to irrigation can open up space for dialogue,” explained Félix Tshisekedi. To this end, he recommended strengthening existing river basin organizations, equipping them with the means to produce reliable data, facilitating consultation and issuing warnings about droughts, floods or pollution risks, whilst calling for the promotion of prior information and consultation between the states concerned whenever a project is likely to have cross-border effects.
“Providing for such exchanges and dispute-resolution procedures means giving dialogue a chance to succeed before positions harden,” insisted the President of the DRC, whilst expressing the hope that the African Union (AU) would promote closer cooperation between water management institutions and African conflict prevention mechanisms.Improving living conditions and infrastructureThirdly, President Tshisekedi proposed integrating peace into all projects whose benefits are shared equitably, including the construction of sustainable infrastructure.
“The third priority is to integrate peace into all projects whose benefits are shared equitably. Cooperation becomes stronger when it brings about tangible improvements in living conditions. This also applies to infrastructure. We must also develop in Africa the skills, equipment and maintenance capabilities required for our water services. A completed project only fulfils its purpose if it continues to function and serve the population,” he said, calling on financial partners to provide greater support for project preparation, maintenance and climate resilience, with particular attention to areas affected by conflict.
The DRC aims for 60 per cent access to safe drinking water by 2035
The Congolese Head of State also outlined his country’s vision, as it is already engaged in a wide-ranging presidential programme aimed at increasing access to water for its inhabitants to 60 per cent. “This continental ambition begins at home, here in the DRC. The presidential pact for water, hygiene and sanitation sets a clear direction.
By 2035, we aim to increase the rate of access to drinking water to 60 per cent, access to sanitation and hygiene services to 50 per cent, and ensure adequate coverage of water and sanitation infrastructure in 80 per cent of our schools and healthcare facilities,” said Félix Tshisekedi.
“Access to water must remain protected, even when political dialogue is difficult. The vital needs of the people must not become a means of exerting pressure (…)”, he concluded. This high-level pan-African forum is dedicated to promoting a culture of peace and non-violence. ACP/