Lawmakers want the state of siege in North Kivu and Ituri called off
Congolese soldiers stand guard outside as the new military governor arrives to take office in Goma, provincial capital of North Kivu, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo on May 10, 2021. FILE PHOTO | AFP
Six months after the declaration of the state of siege in North Kivu and Ituri by President Felix Tshisekedi, the National Assembly has once again extended it by 15 days. This is the 11th extension, and on its announcement on November 1, it was for the first time, strongly opposed in parliament.
Fifty-seven parliamentarians from North Kivu and Ituri said they had "noted with regret and disappointment that the security situation in North Kivu and Ituri has deteriorated further during the state of siege." The MPs and Senators said that "killings are almost permanent; and so is looting; house burning; massive displacement of the population; occupation of entities by local and foreign armed groups."
