Kinshasa, October 22nd, 2026 (CPA).- The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reaffirmed on Thursday his country’s position – that any transfer of water from the Congo River to other basins must be subject to a public consultation via a referendum – during a pan-African forum on peace and non-violence in Luanda, Angola.
“With regard to any potential transfers of water from the Congo River to other basins, I wish to reaffirm our country’s position. No commitment can be envisaged on our part without due regard for our Constitution and our laws.
We maintain as conditions that the Congolese people be consulted via a referendum and that there be rigorous scientific guarantees to safeguard our country’s interests and its ecological balance,” said President Félix Tshisekedi at the opening of the 4th Luanda Biennale.
“Trust between partners requires this clarity. It enables us to work together to seek sustainable solutions that are fully agreed upon and based on knowledge,” he added.
He welcomed the African Union’s (AU) decision to dedicate the year 2026 to water and sanitation, which are considered a key priority of its Agenda 2063.
According to the Congolese Head of State, this vision calls on member states to translate it into political and operational action, in particular by aligning water cooperation with peace efforts.
“I hope that the Luanda Biennale will mark a step forward in this direction: bringing water cooperation closer to our peace efforts, supporting river basin organizations and channeling investment towards the communities that need it most,” he said.Establishing the African Coalition for Water SecurityWith a view to better addressing the water challenge on the continent, the Congolese Head of State called for the creation of an African coalition for water security, supported by institutions and development partners.
“The African coalition for water security that I am calling for can serve this ambition by building on our existing institutions and mobilizing states, financial partners and communities,” said Félix Tshisekedi.
He assured that his country was ready to play its part in helping the AU to tackle this challenge and promote a culture of peace.“The DRC is prepared to play its full part.
Our peoples expect results from us: accessible water, productive land, functioning services and a future free from violence,” he noted. “Let us make our shared resources the foundation for greater trust between our nations. Water connects us.
It is up to us to turn this connection into a force for peace in Africa,” added Félix Tshisekedi. Held under the theme ‘Strengthening water governance in Africa as a tool for conflict prevention, mediation and resolution’, this high-level forum is jointly organized by the Angolan Government, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
This participation forms part of the DRC’s commitment to a culture of peace and regional cooperation for the sustainable management of the continent’s water resources. ACP/