French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed France’s full support for the Democratic Republic of Congo, pledging to stand by Kinshasa in efforts to restore peace in the country’s conflict-hit east.

Macron made the remarks on January 23, 2026, after welcoming President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi to Paris, where the two leaders held talks at the Élysée Palace focusing on the security situation in eastern DR Congo and broader bilateral relations.

“Happy to have welcomed President Félix Tshisekedi to Paris,” Macron said. “I reaffirmed to him France’s full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as for efforts to achieve an effective and verifiable ceasefire in eastern Congo.”

He added that France and DR Congo share a common commitment to addressing the humanitarian situation caused by the prolonged conflict, stressing: “We are determined to respond to the needs of the population.”

President Tshisekedi had travelled to Paris from Davos, Switzerland, where he attended the annual world economic forum.

According to the Congolese presidency, discussions with Macron also covered strengthening cooperation between the two countries, alongside diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending violence and improving stability in eastern DR Congo.