Kinshasa, June 7th, 2026 (CPA).- The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have reaffirmed their determination to continue their missions of securing national territories with professionalism, discipline and loyalty until the full restoration of state authority, during a press briefing on Saturday in Kinshasa. “The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) reaffirm their determination to continue their missions with professionalism, discipline and loyalty until peace, security and state authority are fully restored throughout the national territory,” has declared Lieutenant-Colonel Mak Hazukay, acting spokesperson for the FARDC. In the face of the threats that continue to hang over DRC, the army spokesperson has reassured the public that the army remains resolutely committed to its republican mission of defending the nation. “In the face of the threats that continue to hang over our country, the FARDC remain fully mobilised to guarantee the protection of the population, preserve the territorial integrity of the Republic and defeat any attempt of destabilisation”, he has added. Lieutenant-Colonel Hazukay has, to this end, sent a message of solidarity to the populations affected by armed conflicts in the eastern part of the country. “To our compatriots living in the areas affected by armed conflict, as well as to those suffering the consequences of the occupation of certain parts of the national territory, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo send a message of solidarity, confidence and resilience. The nation will never abandon them. The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo remain by their side and are relentlessly pursuing their mission to protect the Congolese people,” he has reassured, recalling the repeated violations by the RDF/M23-AFC coalition of the ceasefire commitments to which it had subscribed. “Despite the on-going efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the crisis, this coalition is continuing its offensives and multiplying provocations, jeopardising the prospects for lasting stabilisation in the region,” Mak Hazukay has reminded.
Continuing operations in strict compliance with the Constitution
In response to the repeated ceasefire violations by the RDF/M23-AFC coalition, the acting spokesperson for the FARDC has, furthermore, promised that the national army will continue its operations in strict compliance with the Constitution. “The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are continuing their operations in strict compliance with the Constitution of the Republic, national laws and our country’s international commitments. They remain committed to the protection of civilians, the securing of strategic infrastructure, the neutralisation of armed and terrorist groups, and the defence of the Republic’s territorial integrity,” he has said. In this context, the Lieutenant-Colonel has launched an appeal to the international community to unequivocally condemn acts of aggression and violence perpetrated against the civilian population, to support efforts to combat terrorism, and to contribute to strengthening mechanisms designed to prevent the acquisition and use of sophisticated military equipment by armed groups operating on national territory. Finally, Mak Hazukay has strongly condemned the on-going disinformation campaigns designed to distort the reality of the situation on the ground and to reverse the blame. “Even though they are responsible for numerous abuses against the civilian population, the perpetrators of this violence regularly attempt to mislead national and international public opinion in order to conceal their responsibilities,” he has concluded.ACP/