CONGOLESE President Félix Tshisekedi is struggling to rally international support against the Rwanda-backed M23 rebellion, with recent diplomatic visits yielding little progress. Despite appeals to world leaders, the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to escalate, raising fears of broader instability.
According to AFP, Tshisekedi’s recent trips to Angola and a security conference in Munich have failed to bring about a decisive international response. This comes as M23 rebels, reportedly supported by Rwanda despite Kigali’s denials, seized two major cities in eastern DRC.
M23 gains expose weaknesses in Tshisekedi’s strategy
The Congolese army has suffered a series of defeats at the hands of the M23, a rebel group that has long exploited the region’s mineral wealth. Analysts say the inability to counter the M23 offensive is politically damaging for Tshisekedi.
‘The inability to reverse the military dynamic raises questions about the room for manoeuvre of the supreme commander of the army,’ said Trésor Kibangula, a political analyst at the Ebuteli research institute in Kinshasa.
He warned that Tshisekedi must prevent the crisis from becoming a turning point that threatens his administration. A source close to the presidency told AFP that there is growing unease within the government, describing the atmosphere as an ‘end-of-rule’ moment.
With tensions rising, some international organisations have already evacuated staff from Kinshasa, fearing further instability.
Tshisekedi’s diplomatic push meets global silence
Tshisekedi has repeatedly urged international bodies to impose sanctions on Rwanda for allegedly backing the M23. However, neither the United Nations nor the European Union has responded decisively to these calls.
During his visit to Luanda, he met with Angolan President João Lourenço, who has played a mediation role in the crisis. While the two leaders discussed possible measures to address the conflict, no concrete actions were announced.
At the Munich Security Conference, Tshisekedi intensified his rhetoric, urging the world to place Rwanda on a diplomatic ‘blacklist’. He also accused his predecessor, Joseph Kabila, of colluding with Rwanda in what he described as ‘a coup against the republic’.
Despite these efforts, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame remains defiant, stating in a recent interview that ‘no one will intimidate me with threats of sanctions’.
Regional and international concerns over escalation
The lack of a clear international response has raised fears that the conflict could escalate into a wider regional war.
Paul-Simon Handy, regional director for East Africa at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), told AFP that strengthening state institutions in the DRC is crucial for long-term stability.
‘The strengthening of the Congolese state and its ability to protect its borders is essential for stability in the Great Lakes region,’ he said.
With the conflict showing no signs of de-escalation, Tshisekedi faces mounting pressure both at home and abroad. As M23 continues to make territorial gains, the DRC’s president may find his leadership increasingly tested in the months ahead.
