KINSHASA — Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi said the country's 2028 elections cannot be organized unless the conflict in North Kivu and South Kivu is resolved, in a televised address to the nation in Kinshasa. He also said he would accept a third term if the people sought it, and that a referendum would first be required to amend the constitution.

"If we cannot end this war, unfortunately we will not be able to organize elections in 2028," Tshisekedi said. "But it will not be because I refused to organize them, the resources are there we can do it, but we cannot organize them without North Kivu and South Kivu."

Tshisekedi's term expires in December 2028. He is serving his second presidential term, which is the constitutional limit.

"I have not sought a third term, but I tell you: If the people want me to have a third term, I will accept," he said. A referendum on the constitution would have to take place first to approve an amendment allowing a president to seek more than two terms, he said.

The conflict in eastern Congo escalated in January 2025, when M23 rebels advanced and seized the strategic city of Goma. M23 rebels seized the town of Bukavu in February 2025. The fighting has killed about 3,000 people and displaced around 7 million.

Eastern Congo has experienced decades of unrest, with government forces fighting more than 100 armed groups. M23 is the most prominent of those groups. Efforts to end the fighting, including a U.S.-mediated peace agreement, have not succeeded.

Congolese politician André Claudel Lubaya said Tshisekedi was citing a supposed will of the people "to justify a fraudulent intention." Seth Kikuni, a two-time presidential candidate, said that if Tshisekedi threatens to seize power in 2028, there would be only one option left for the opposition — to cross the Rubicon and throw the dice.