DRC parliament reviews state of siege in North Kivu, Ituri and pushes agricultural sovereignty law

On 5 June, members of the Democratic Republic of Congo's National Assembly began a parliamentary assessment of the state of siege imposed in the eastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. The review, following the decree issued in May 2021, examines military operations, human‑rights conditions, and humanitarian assistance, with key ministers invited to provide data and explanations.

Meanwhile, as the ordinary parliamentary session approaches its scheduled end on 15 June, the Senate has yet to adopt the proposed law on agricultural sovereignty. Stakeholders, including agribusiness expert Prince Junior Mungala, warn that delays could cost the country billions of dollars in food imports and hinder efforts to turn arable land into a growth engine for the economy. The law seeks to reduce dependence on imported staples and retain foreign exchange by boosting domestic production.