Kinshasa, May 6th, 2026 (CPA).- The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo has made the organisation of the next elections conditional on the liberation of the territories in the east of the country occupied by Rwanda, during a press briefing held on Wednesday at the African Union City in Kinshasa. “Unless there is a compelling situation such as the one we face today – that of war, unfortunately – we will not be able to hold elections in 2028. But this will not be because I have refused to organise them. We will not hold them without Nord and Sud-Kivu,” has declared the Head of State, Felix Tshisekedi. He has justified this position by comparing it to similar war situations, notably that in Ukraine. Speaking to the national and international press, the Head of State has also rejected accusations that he was seeking to prolong the war in the east of the country.
National dialogue deemed not a priority
Addressing the issue of national dialogue, President Tshisekedi has estimated that this option is not a priority for resolving the security crisis in the east. “Give me a guarantee that if I convene compatriots for an inter-Congolese dialogue, the war will end. Give me a single guarantee and I will get on with it. Do you really believe that bringing Congolese people together in Kinshasa or elsewhere will be enough for Rwanda to get the message and withdraw its troops? That makes no sense,” he has declared, asserting that the parties involved in the conflict would not easily give up their economic interests linked to the country’s resources. “So, that means we’ll be meeting here for a dialogue, with expectations of participating in a government, and so on. But do you think that after that, the Rwandans will leave? Their economy is based on these plundering activities. They will fight to the bitter end before leaving this country’s territory,” he has insisted.
A third term and constitutional change?
A view of President Tshisekedi and the journalists present at the press conference
During this conference, two major issues were addressed: namely, the accusations of seeking a third term and the issue of constitutional revision. Although he affirms that he is not seeking a third term, the President of DRC states that he would be in favour of it if the people asked him to, in order to continue the country’s transformation. “And so, I think that is the perspective from which we must view things. What is good for us in this Constitution? Should we keep it or not? What is stopping us from looking into it? What we must not do is link this exercise to a third term. I have not sought a third term, but I tell you this: if the people want me to have a third term, I will accept,” he has declared. The Head of State has indicated his desire to leave the Republic, and his successor, a fundamental text adapted to the country’s current realities, an approach he says is also supported by certain international partners, notably the Americans. “The Americans have demanded certain reforms from us in the justice system. These reforms cannot be carried out without amending the Constitution. So are you going to stop us from amending it just because there are two or three people who don’t want us to touch it?” he has asked, whilst asserting that the country must not be held back by the views of a minority. “My most ardent wish is that this Republic regains its stability and dignity, and is put on the right track. We must not view our country as a glass half empty, but as a glass half full, and ask ourselves how to fill it further,” he has added. Finally, he has estimated that the Democratic Republic of the Congo has already begun to improve its image on the international stage.