North Kivu officials address security concerns and political unrest

In North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Deputy Carly Nzanzu Kasivita has requested the suspension of a medical cannabis promotion campaign. Kasivita sent a correspondence to the Vice-Prime Minister of the Interior, the Ministers of Agriculture and Health, and the military governor, citing security risks. He expressed concerns that cannabis production could be diverted to black markets or used to fund armed groups, such as the ADF, in a province already struggling with instability.

Separately, the military governor of North Kivu has responded to calls from UDPS militants demanding his removal. The governor urged youth to engage in dialogue and respect the current state of siege, stating that following regulations would help restore full freedoms more quickly. He also defended his administration's appointment processes and highlighted economic initiatives, such as the relaunch of SOMINKI and the Mavivi airport project, as means to combat insecurity through job creation.