The Congolese leader made the remarks in a national address marking 29 years since the assassination of Archbishop Christophe Munzihirwa, the former head of the Catholic Diocese of Bukavu.

Tshisekedi said: “To those listening to me in Bukavu, Goma, Minova, Beni, Uvira, Kalehe, Idjwi, Rutshuru, Masisi, Fizi, and elsewhere I tell you, the government has not forgotten you.”

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He continued: “What you are going through is not just your problem in the East. It is our collective problem  in Kinshasa as it is in Bukavu, in Mbandaka as it is in Goma, in Lubumbashi as it is in Uvira. When one part of the country suffers, the entire nation suffers.”

Tshisekedi emphasized that peace is not a distant promise but a process, affirming that the country has already embarked on that path. He told residents in areas currently beyond government control that although progress may not be immediately visible, efforts are underway and will not cease.

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He said that, on the fronts of diplomacy, security, and humanitarian action, his government is pursuing all initiatives aimed at achieving lasting stability  including repelling foreign armed groups, restoring state authority, repatriating refugees, and rebuilding damaged infrastructure.

However, security remains fragile in eastern Congo, where fresh fighting has recently erupted between government forces and M23 rebels, involving the use of heavy weaponry and combat aircraft, including drones.

Despite the ongoing clashes, several initiatives are in motion to restore long-term peace in eastern DRC, among them the Doha agreements between the Congolese government and M23, as well as mediation efforts led by the United States between Rwanda and Congo.