No peace in sight
Legally, the Congolese Constitution recognizes the move.
But ordering military and police officers to take over civil authorities will not bring peace says the Goma-based civil society movement, Lucha (Lutte pour le Changement).
'Lucha' or Fight for Change, is a Congolese civil organization based in Goma
The group instead wants the army strengthened, and local engagement to develop strategies that meet the expectations of the population.
"But strengthening the army does not mean declaring a "state of siege." It means providing the necessary logistical means," said Ghislain Muhiwa, a Lucha activist.
"We also propose a dialogue between the government, civilians and MONUSCO (the UN mission in the Eastern DRC). From this dialogue, we will unearth the real problems, and it is from this that we will decide whether it is worth declaring a 'state of siege' or not."
But rebuilding state control is very difficult, which is why the conflict has gone on for over two decades, according to Boisselet.
"The armed groups there are ingrained, and they know how to generate income," he told DW.
Boisselet added that state military is poorly paid — if they are paid at all — and this is a consequence of the Congolese state's structural failings.
Peacekeepers serving in the MONUSCO patrol in Goma
Regional politics at play?
While many agree the extreme violence in the Ituri and North Kivu warrants special attention, Clark said regional politics may also be behind the move.
"These are also provinces controlled by the opposition, some provincial governors who have been quite vocal critics of the president in the past," Clark said.
"What Tshisekedi is also saying to the population of eastern Congo is whenever the opposition rules the provincial government, you get mass violence, you get this mass insecurity."
DW's longtime DRC correspondent, Saleh Mwanamilongo, pointed out that Tshisekedi is wary of declaring a similar action in South Kivu to avoid upsetting armed groups with ties to eastern neighbors Rwanda and Burundi.
"People are waiting to see if he is doing this for the good of the people, or just some people only," he said.