Kinshasa, January 2, 2026 – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially begun its term on the United Nations Security Council. A solemn flag-raising ceremony will take place this Friday, January 2, 2026, at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York.
This highly symbolic ceremony marks the beginning of the DRC’s participation in the body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, more than thirty years after its last presence on the Security Council. It represents a historic moment for the country, imbued with dignity, responsibility, and commitment.
“Today is an important day for the Democratic Republic of Congo. By officially joining the United Nations Security Council, our country is assuming major responsibility in the service of international peace and security. It is a moment of dignity, but above all a moment of commitment. Africa and the world can count on the DRC to be a constructive, principled voice in favor of justice and multilateral cooperation,” declared Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Francophonie, and the Congolese Diaspora.
On this occasion, the Minister of State expressed the gratitude of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to all United Nations Member States for the confidence placed in her country.
Building on the experience gained during its previous terms on the Security Council (1982–1983 and 1990–1991), the DRC will carry out its mandate in a spirit of dialogue, with a constant commitment to multilateralism and the conviction that lasting peace rests on the coherence of actions, collective responsibility, and respect for international commitments.
The DRC’s mandate on the Security Council is based on two major pillars: peace and security, as well as conflict prevention and resolution. Drawing on its experience in the Great Lakes region, the DRC intends to promote the reform of peacekeeping operations and transitional justice as key levers. It also advocates for better governance of natural resources and the effective implementation of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs, to prevent conflicts and support stabilization and reconstruction efforts.
The entry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo into the Security Council is not a reward, but a mission. It reflects the determination to uphold respect for international law, to reaffirm the non-negotiable nature of state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to carry the voice of peoples affected by conflict, particularly on the African continent. Drawing on its lived experience and its familiarity with situations of conflict and insecurity, the DRC intends to bring to the Council a voice of truth, responsibility, and a resolute focus on sustainable solutions.
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