KINSHASA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi on Monday outlined key priorities for consolidating peace in the conflict-affected eastern region, stressing that lasting stability requires both security measures and long-term community recovery.
In a national address in the capital, Kinshasa, before the National Assembly and the Senate, Tshisekedi said that the government's foremost objective is the "total and verifiable withdrawal of all foreign armed forces" from Congolese territory, whether operating openly or through proxy groups.
Such a withdrawal, he noted, is essential to restoring national sovereignty and creating conditions for de-escalation.
A second priority lies in "dismantling the financial and logistical networks that fuel armed violence," particularly those linked to the illicit exploitation and smuggling of gold, coltan, cobalt, and other natural resources, he said, noting that cutting off these revenue streams is vital to weakening armed groups' capabilities.
The president also underscored the need to protect civilians and ensure unhindered humanitarian access to areas affected by renewed fighting, calling this a critical step to preventing further suffering among vulnerable populations.
Tshisekedi added that peace must ultimately "be anchored in the long term" through a combination of security enforcement, the revival of local development, and community-based reconciliation efforts tailored to the realities of each region.
For decades, eastern DRC has been plagued by recurring violence, exacerbated by the offensives of the March 23 Movement.
According to the United Nations, more than 2.4 million people have been displaced since January 2025, bringing the tally of internally displaced persons to nearly 6 million. Around 1 million Congolese have sought refuge in neighboring countries, while 27 million people face hunger. ■
