Despite ongoing tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, President Félix Tshisekedi recently said he has no plans to sever diplomatic relations between the two countries. This statement was made during an interview with its spokesperson, Tina Salama.
Félix Tshisekedi recognizes the complexity of the situation and stresses the importance of distinguishing between the regime of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan people. He believes that severing diplomatic relations with Rwanda would be an ineffective and unfair measure for the Rwandan people, with whom the DRC shares historical and economic ties.
The Congolese president instead advocates an approach based on diplomatic pressure, which already seems to be bearing fruit. He notes that there has been a decrease in violence on the border between the two countries since the start of this strategy. According to him, the reports of UN experts and the pressure exerted by international civil society testify to the effectiveness of this approach.
Felix Tshisekedi insists that he favors diplomacy and deterrence, rather than the military option. He explains that war should only be considered as a last resort and that the DRC is counting on its partners and the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda if the latter refuses to withdraw from Congolese soil.
The Congolese president also stresses the importance of diplomacy, which remains a necessity even in the most extreme tense contexts. He takes the example of relations between Ukraine and Russia, where despite the tensions, diplomacy continues to play a crucial role in resolving conflicts.
In conclusion, Félix Tshisekedi supports a diplomatic approach in relations between the DRC and Rwanda, based on international pressure and the preservation of historical ties between the two peoples. He insists that war should only be considered as a last resort and that diplomacy must remain a priority to resolve tensions between the two countries