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KINSHASA – The Deputy Prime Minister of the Interior, Jacquemain Shabani, has described the recently signed Doha Declaration as a “preliminary stage” on the path to a formal peace agreement, expected to be finalized on August 17. His remarks came during a joint press briefing in Kinshasa on Monday, July 21, alongside Minister of Communication and Media Patrick Muyaya.
Shabani emphasized that restoring state authority in rebel-occupied territories is a non-negotiable priority.
“The restoration of the state will involve the withdrawal of rebel forces, the return of public administration, and the redeployment of national security forces,” he declared.
He made it clear that the government would not allow any entity other than the state to be responsible for the security of Congolese citizens. “There is no question of entrusting the security of the Congolese people to any body other than the state,” he affirmed.
The minister further stated that transitional measures are already underway.
These include the temporary relocation of provincial capitals to Beni and Uvira as a stopgap measure until full administrative and security redeployment is achieved.
“This restoration will be carried out through the reinstallation of public institutions in the concerned areas,” Shabani explained.
He also noted that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) aims to break the vicious cycles of violence, after identifying the root causes of the conflict—some of which he attributed to Rwandan interference.
As part of the broader implementation of the Doha Declaration, Shabani revealed that preparations are ongoing for a comprehensive redeployment of both administrative and security forces.
He highlighted the central role of the Congolese National Police, describing it as a “key instrument” in reclaiming full state control over affected regions.
The briefing reinforced the government’s commitment to using the Doha Declaration as a roadmap toward sustainable peace, governance restoration, and national sovereignty.
