The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is set to initiate political consultations on Monday to establish a government of national unity, as the country faces an escalating security crisis. Desire-Cashmir Kolongele Eberande, special security advisor to President Felix Tshisekedi, announced the move on Saturday, stating that the discussions will involve various political and civil stakeholders.
The consultations will bring together the Sacred Union, the ruling parliamentary coalition, opposition parties within and outside parliament, civil society organizations, and notable figures, including former presidential candidates. A comprehensive timeline for these discussions will be released in the coming days, Eberande confirmed.
This initiative follows President Tshisekedi’s February declaration of sweeping political changes aimed at addressing the deteriorating security situation in the eastern DRC. The formation of a unity government is seen as a critical step in preventing the ongoing conflict from escalating into a broader regional crisis.
The eastern provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu remain conflict hotspots, with the resurgence of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group in late 2021. Since then, the group has seized vast territories, defying international and regional mediation efforts. Despite repeated ceasefire agreements, hostilities continue, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
The mineral-rich eastern DRC has long been a battleground for numerous armed groups vying for control over valuable resources such as coltan, tin, tantalum, and gold. The conflict has resulted in mass displacement, with the United Nations reporting that approximately one million people, including 400,000 children, have been forced from their homes since January 2025. As fighting continues in North and South Kivu, displacement figures are expected to rise further.
The international community has called for urgent action to stabilize the region. However, past peace efforts have struggled to yield lasting results. It remains to be seen whether Tshisekedi’s unity government strategy will pave the way for a sustainable resolution to the conflict or face the same obstacles that have hindered previous diplomatic initiatives.
