The move comes amid ongoing talks between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese government aimed at resolving long-standing conflicts in the eastern part of the country.

Lutala Mutiki, who represents the Mwenga territory in South Kivu, said the proposed law would address persistent security challenges and recurring unrest in the region.

Since the Sun City Agreement in 2002, which brought together the Kinshasa government and armed groups such as the RCD and Jean-Pierre Bemba’s MLC, integrating former rebels into the military and state institutions has been used as a mechanism to halt conflict, particularly in eastern Congo.

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Many current military officers and government officials in DRC are former members of armed groups who joined the state following peace agreements.

The country has faced over three decades of attacks from armed groups, particularly in the east, with the United Nations reporting more than 100 militias currently active in the region.

Local media reports indicate strong support for Lutala Mutiki’s bill among ruling party lawmakers, suggesting it has a high likelihood of becoming law.

If passed, the legislation would prevent the M23 group from receiving government or military positions as part of ongoing peace negotiations, a measure seen as key to achieving long-term stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.