Congo’s president, Félix Tshisekedi, has issued a stark warning regarding the nation's ability to organize future elections.

His term is set to expire in December 2028, but he stated that if the ongoing conflict in the country's east continues unresolved, it will be impossible to hold democratic elections under stable conditions.

The president highlighted that even with the necessary resources available, the political environment must first stabilize for elections to proceed smoothly.

The conflict in eastern Congo has escalated significantly since January 2025, when the M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, captured key cities like Goma and Bukavu.

This advance has led to a humanitarian crisis affecting millions and resulting in thousands of deaths.

Despite international mediation efforts, including those by the United States aimed at brokering peace, the violence persists.

President Tshisekedi emphasized that resolving the conflict is crucial for ensuring elections can take place in 2028.

He referred specifically to the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu as being critical to this goal.

The region has been plagued by unrest for decades, with numerous armed groups vying for control over mineral-rich territories.

Furthermore, Tshisekedi indicated an openness to potentially pursue a third term in office if public support is sufficient.

He suggested that a constitutional referendum on amending the country’s constitution might be necessary to allow him or another candidate to serve beyond two terms.

Critics quickly condemned these remarks, suggesting they are an attempt to justify extended rule without proper democratic process.