Félix Tshisekedi announces a “gradual easing” of the state of siege in the east

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This exceptional measure, taken for North Kivu and Ituri, restricted public freedoms and replaced the civil administration with military and police officials, without succeeding in bringing peace. Two years and four months after its establishment, “ I chose (…) for the implementation of a gradual transitional system at the end of which this exceptional situation must come to an end “, declared President Tshisekedi in a “ message to the nation » broadcast by official television at 11:00 p.m. Kinshasa time (10:00 p.m. UT), midnight in the east of the country.

This transitional device “ will consist of the restoration of civil authority in decentralized and deconcentrated territorial entities which are already secure and under the control of the Armed Forces of the DRC “, he said. This implies “ the lifting of constitutional restrictions » citizens, in particular “ the free movement of people and their goods by ending the curfew “, the freedom of “ peaceful demonstration and assembly “, he added. “ This is all the more important “, continued the president, “ that the various actors involved in the electoral process have the right to participate fully and without hindrance “.

This relief “ progressive and gradual » of the state of siege comes just over two months before the presidential, legislative, provincial and local elections scheduled for December 20. Félix Tshisekedi is a candidate for re-election.

The Head of State’s announcement also comes as parts of North Kivu territory have been occupied since last year by the M23 rebellion. After six months of precarious calm, fighting resumed at the beginning of October against the rebels, causing new deaths and population displacements. In his message, Félix Tshisekedi, however, notes a “ improvement of the security situation in certain areas of the two provinces concerned “.

(With AFP)