DRC: Highlights of president Félix Tshisekedi’s speech on the 64th independence anniversary
President Félix Tshisekedi, on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s independence, delivered a unifying speech reaffirming his commitment to addressing the challenge of insecurity and defending national sovereignty against both internal and external threats.
Addressing the security aspect, the President first denounced what he described as unfounded accusations from hostile external forces, asserting that the reasons given to justify their aggression against the DRC were baseless. He specifically disputed the allegations concerning the Rwandophone communities, claiming these accusations were unjust and part of an attempt to weaken the country.
In this regard, the Congolese President emphasized the importance of investing heavily in strengthening the state’s capacities to secure the territory and protect the population. He disclosed that he had instructed his government to allocate 20% of the annual budget over five years to this effort, primarily aiming to bolster the Defense and Security Forces.
Turning to internal social challenges, President Tshisekedi acknowledged the daily difficulties faced by the majority of Congolese people. He reiterated his personal commitment to finding concrete and immediate solutions to improve the population’s living conditions. To this end, he promised measures to reduce the cost of living and increase the citizens’ purchasing power.
It should be noted that President Félix Tshisekedi also mentioned the recent holding of an expanded High Council of Defense, where clear directives were given to ensure the country’s territorial integrity. He called for national unity in the face of these challenges, affirming that the DRC would resolutely move towards a future of prosperity and security.
