DRC: Is President Tshisekedi's 'state of siege' a cover-up? Congolese President Tshisekedi's "state of siege" declaration in two eastern DRC provinces comes into effect today. But the move has already resulted in a backlash. Kinshasa says it is vital to eliminate armed groups. Dozens of armed groups have operated for years in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) North Kivu and Ituri provinces, and civilians have been subjected to horrifying massacres. Armed militias and inter-communal violence have killed more than 300 people so far in 2021. Presidential spokesman Tharsice Kasongo Mwema said on Tuesday that the two provinces would be declared under siege for 30 days starting on Thursday May 6.