Mukwege made the announcement in the capital Kinshasa on Monday. Speaking in front of a packed auditorium, he told supporters that he is contesting to put a stop to insecurity and poor leadership in the Central African nation.
"I agree to be your candidate for president of the Republic," he told the gathering.
Mukwege was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 alongside Yazidi activist Nadia Murad for efforts to end sexual violence as a weapon of war.
The pioneering doctor founded the Panzi hospital and foundation in conflict-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after witnessing the horrific injuries and diseases suffered by rape victims.
Dozens of militias have ravaged eastern DRC for years, a legacy of conflict over resources, ethnic violence and regional wars that raged for decades.
One such militia, the M23, has captured swathes of territory since launching an offensive in late 2021.
Parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled to be held in the DRC on December 20. Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi is running for re-election.
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