Tshisekedi Allocates 30% of 2026 Budget to Defense and Security

Kinshasa, November 18, 2025 — Under the firm leadership of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the Democratic Republic of Congo is making a historic choice to invest in its sovereignty and protect its people, according to a report by Radio France Internationale (RFI).

The 2026 draft finance bill, presented to the National Assembly by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, allocates nearly one-third of the national budget, 30%, to defense and security, an unprecedented decision that confirms the government’s determination to recover and secure every inch of Congolese soil.

“Under the authority of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the government remains firmly committed to reclaiming all portions of our national territory that have fallen into enemy hands,” declared Prime Minister Suminwa before Parliament.

Building a Strong and Modern Army

This bold financial orientation is not merely reactive; it’s part of a long-term vision extending to 2028, aimed at transforming the FARDC into a professional, well-equipped, and respected national force.

The plan includes:

• The training and specialization of troops and officers;

• The rehabilitation and modernization of military infrastructure;

• The improvement of logistics and soldiers’ welfare;

• And the intensification of targeted operations against armed groups is destabilizing the east.