Mukwege Opposes Referendum Plan Without Restoration of Security in Eastern DRC

KINSHASA, May 15, 2026 - Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege has criticized the ongoing political debate in the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding the possibility of a constitutional referendum while conflict continues in the eastern provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.

Reacting to recent remarks by President Félix Tshisekedi, in which he suggested that elections could not be held without restoring peace in the conflict-affected east, Mukwege argued that the same principle should apply to any constitutional referendum.

Speaking in an interview with Africanews, he stated that if electoral processes are deemed impossible due to insecurity in the two provinces, then any referendum should also be postponed until all citizens, including those in conflict zones, are able to fully participate.

Mukwege emphasized that democratic legitimacy requires equal participation across the national territory, warning against decisions that could exclude populations affected by ongoing hostilities.

The activist also criticized the broader international engagement in the eastern DRC crisis, particularly referencing cooperation frameworks involving the United States. He accused external partners of prioritizing access to strategic minerals over tangible improvements in security for local populations.

According to Mukwege, mineral exports continue toward international markets, while the security situation in the east remains unresolved, describing the arrangement as increasingly transactional and exploitative.

His remarks come in the context of intensified fighting in eastern DRC, where armed groups, including the AFC/M23 movement, continue to operate in parts of North and South Kivu, despite ongoing regional and international diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring stability.