The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has landed a coveted non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), marking a moment of diplomatic prestige for a nation better known for its internal strife than international statesmanship. As Kinshasa prepares to take its seat in 2026, one question looms large: can the DRC balance its domestic crises with the responsibility of helping to shape global peace and security?
The election, held at the UN General Assembly on June 3, brought the DRC into the council fold with overwhelming support—rare international consensus for a country that has long struggled with violence, corruption, and underdevelopment. Also elected were Liberia, Colombia, Bahrain, and Latvia, but few among them bear the weight of domestic insecurity quite like the DRC.
Home to one of the world’s longest-running humanitarian crises, eastern Congo remains a hotbed of militia activity, displacement, and illicit exploitation of mineral resources. Over 7 million Congolese are currently displaced within their own country, and hundreds of thousands more have fled to neighboring states. And yet, the DRC is now preparing to cast votes and shape policy on the world’s biggest conflicts—from Gaza and Ukraine to Haiti and Sudan.
To the Congolese government, this moment is both a validation and an opportunity. President Félix Tshisekedi hailed the election as proof that the world recognizes his administration’s reform agenda and its efforts to restore peace and economic growth. “The Security Council seat is not just a diplomatic win—it is a call to responsibility,” Tshisekedi said at a press briefing. “The DRC is ready to contribute to international peace just as we seek peace at home.”
That’s a noble vision—but skeptics are not convinced.
For critics, the real issue is not whether Congo can help shape global policy, but whether it is in any position to do so credibly. After all, the DRC remains one of the largest recipients of UN peacekeeping assistance. MONUSCO, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC, has been stationed in the country for over two decades. Its role has evolved from traditional peacekeeping to stabilization and protection of civilians. Ironically, Congo will soon sit at the same table that oversees its own peacekeeping mandate.
This contradiction has not gone unnoticed in diplomatic circles. Some observers worry that Congo’s Security Council seat may raise uncomfortable questions about the council’s credibility: how can a country still reliant on peacekeepers be trusted to adjudicate peace elsewhere?
But there’s another view—a more optimistic one—that sees Congo’s election as a natural extension of its lived experience. If any country understands the importance of international peacebuilding, it’s the DRC. Its tenure on the Council could bring a much-needed dose of realism to discussions that are often dominated by the world’s most powerful nations. Congo knows firsthand what works and what fails in post-conflict recovery, and that knowledge could be invaluable in today’s fractured geopolitical landscape.
Moreover, Kinshasa’s return to the council after a decade (its last term ended in 2007) signals a broader attempt by African countries to assert more influence within the UN system. The African Union threw its support behind the DRC’s candidacy, seeing it as an opportunity to advocate for African solutions to African problems from within the very body that often dictates the terms of those solutions.
Still, for all the symbolism, the practical challenges remain daunting. Kinshasa must now assemble a competent diplomatic team capable of engaging in complex negotiations, drafting resolutions, and navigating the council’s inner dynamics—all while managing crises at home. The UNSC is not a platform for grandstanding; it is a working body where diplomatic skill, strategic alliances, and technical expertise matter.
There’s also the issue of consistency. Will the DRC use its seat to champion human rights and accountability abroad, even as its own military faces accusations of abuses at home? Will it advocate for the protection of civilians in Sudan or Gaza, while civilians in Ituri and North Kivu remain unprotected?
Some hope that international visibility will create a feedback loop: increased scrutiny could push the DRC government to finally address its governance issues, curb corruption, and take more aggressive steps to protect civilians. Others fear that the added responsibility could become a distraction, or worse, a diplomatic shield used to deflect criticism of domestic failings.
There is no doubt that the DRC’s UNSC membership is a landmark moment. It offers Kinshasa a chance to recast its global image—from a fragile state in constant need of help to a responsible actor contributing to global peace. Whether that transition actually takes place will depend on what Congo does with its seat—not just the statements it makes, but the positions it takes and the credibility it maintains.
For now, the spotlight is on. And for a country long on the margins of international power, that in itself is no small thing.
