The provinces of Ituri and North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue today under a state of siege, after the approval by the National Assembly and the Senate of its extension for 15 days.

Kinshasa.- The Senate voted the day before in favor of the bill, authorizing the extension of the state of siege proclaimed by the order of May 3, 2021, for 15 days from October 14, 2023.

Out of 109 members of the Senate, 78 took part in the vote, with 73 votes in favor, four against, and one abstention.

During the presentation of the bill, the Secretary of State for Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Rose Mutombo Kiese, said that the eastern part of the DRC has been suffering from violence for more than two decades as a result of the activities of local and foreign armed groups.

She added that the proposal took into account the need to reduce the exceptional measures gradually and progressively, as requested by President Felix Tshisekedi last October 12.

Mutombo Kiese underlined that the implemented measures will be adopted by the Government, following the Constitution, and the Congolese President’s ordinance will be submitted to the Constitutional Court.

However, civil society voices in the DRC oppose the implementation of this plan. (PL)