The security crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is worsening with a crisis of confidence between local actors. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi accuses the East African contingent of “cohabiting” with M23 rebels. This inefficiency is a message of frustration sent to public opinion, especially since there are many voices calling for the departure of Kenyan and Ugandan troops.
This conflict of mandate draws relations between Kinshasa and the staff of the East African force towards a point of no return. Felix Tshisekedi wants to “revitalize” the MONUSCO Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), although the SADC (Southern African Development Community) has announced support in restoring peace and security in eastern DRC.
By defying the EAC (East African Community), towards which he had concentrated his diplomatic efforts, and by getting closer to the SADC, previously close to his predecessor Joseph Kabila, Félix Tshisekedi is making a geopolitical turn just a few months before the presidential election next December.
In a context of growing economic and security crisis, the challenges of the Congolese state are piling up higher and higher. Congo-Brazzaville comes to his aid by supplying electricity to the capital, Kinshasa. The reforms and the fight against corruption that President Tshisekedi has promised to carry out will be crucial for the DRC, which must face these challenges as united