Kinshasa, June 3rd, 2025 (CPA). – The Democratic Republic of Congo has been elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with 183 votes out of 187 voters, for a two-year term from 2026 to 2027, following an election on Tuesday at the headquarters of this international institution in New York, in the United States of America.
‘This is a victory for the entire DRC, and indeed a remarkable score of 183 votes out of 187 eligible votes. A performance that reflects our diplomatic work. We are celebrating our return to the international stage,’ has declared Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of State in charge of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Franco phony. ‘We want to be a player for peace in Africa, peace throughout the world, a player that will promote more peace, more justice, more development and, above all, more unity,’ she has insisted.
The elected member seats are renewed by half each year. For this term, five countries were candidates for five available seats: Bahrain, Colombia, Latvia, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The elected countries have replaced Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia. This election marks a significant return for DRC to the international diplomatic scene. Since President Felix Tshisekedi came to power in 2019, DRC has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to reposition the country as a credible, committed and influential player in multilateral forums. The country intends to play an active role in discussions on security challenges in Africa, while supporting efforts to reform the multilateral system in a spirit of dialogue, solidarity and shared responsibility.
33 years later, DRC marks its return
The ministers in charge of Foreign Affairs and the ambassadors of the newly elected countries
DRC had already served twice on the United Nations Security Council, from 1982 to 1983 and from 1990 to 1991. During its last term, DRC had chaired the Council, playing a key role in condemning Iraq’s aggression against Kuwait during the Gulf crisis. ‘DRC is ready to renew this commitment to world peace, drawing on its experience and vision for strengthened multilateralism,’ has declared the Minister of State in charge of Foreign Affairs at the launching of Lumumba’s country’s campaign for the position. DRC’s candidacy was also part of a comprehensive plan to revitalise Congolese diplomacy, a priority for the government. According to Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, ‘this project reflects (a) legitimate ambition to actively contribute to conflict prevention, crisis management and the promotion of human rights around the world’. Becoming a non-permanent member of the Security Council is thus an opportunity for DRC to defend world peace while highlighting security challenges, particularly those in the east, to influence international decisions on crucial issues such as sustainable development, climate change and human rights, and to promote the strategic interests and vision of inclusive and sustainable solutions to the global challenges facing this large country in the heart of Africa.
National reactions
Following the election of DRC as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2026–2027, several reactions have been recorded from Congolese officials and other prominent figures. ‘This is a major step forward, which confirms our country’s return to the international stage. Following our election as Vice-President of the UN General Assembly, this new success illustrates the renewed confidence in DRC,’ has written Judith Suminwa, Prime Minister of DRC, on her X account. ‘Under the leadership of the President of the Republic, (…) our diplomacy continues to assert itself with strength and vision. I salute the commitment of those who carry our voice high. Let us continue to work for a strong, influential diplomacy in the service of peace and African interests,’ she has added. Guy Loando, Minister of State in charge of Land Use Planning, has welcomed the ‘renewal of the Congolese diplomacy on the international stage’. ‘We proudly welcome the election of the Democratic Republic of Congo as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and its vice-presidency of the UN General Assembly,’ he has indicated on X, before adding: ‘These successes illustrate the leadership of the President of the Republic and the renewal of our Congolese diplomacy on the international stage’. ‘For the third time in its history, DRC has just been elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. This election marks the strength of Congolese diplomacy under the vision of the President of the Republic and implemented by the Government,’ has reacted Ms Ève Bazaiba, Minister of State in charge of the Environment.
Several diplomatic missions based in Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, welcomed the country’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2026–2027, through messages posted on their official X accounts. ‘Congratulations to DRC on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Belgium looks forward to working closely together during the 2026–2027 term. We wish you every success in this important responsibility,’ it is read the Belgian Embassy’s X account. For its part, the Swiss embassy has also welcomed the election, while expressing its willingness to strengthen cooperation with DRC within the framework of this international mandate.ACP/