The last few months have seen a notable change in relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its neighbours. Since taking office in 2019, President Félix Tshisekedi has worked to defuse the conflict between him and Rwanda and other neighboring states, as part of the war that raged in eastern DRC during more than two decades.
Indeed, the determination of Félix Tshisekedi to denounce the axis of evil embodied by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has considerably contributed to the slowdown of the millennial project of balkanization of Congo-Zaire. This has put the region in a more stable situation, even though the war is far from over.
Felix Tshisekedi has managed to understand the economic issues behind the succession of wars against his country and to measure the international scope of the crisis. From now on, the military fronts no longer seethe as they did a year ago. Admittedly, the war is not over, but it is necessary to assess the small margins of its international repercussions.
The Congolese president finally decided to break with Kigali on certain partnership agreements, before undertaking an uninterrupted international tour to make the voice of Congo heard at all international forums. He was thus able to show that his country was not fighting against the small Rwandan state, but against all the great economic powers of the world, always determined to impose on this region of the globe a governance favorable to their economic predation.
However, the East African Community (EAC) is increasingly losing its influence in the region, after being unable to relent Tshisekedi and bring about a solution to the crisis. Despite the voice of Pope Francis, who had called for the hands of the DRC and Africa to be withdrawn, the war machine is seriously rusting.
Félix Tshisekedi and Kagame are now playing a game of cat and mouse, without foreseeing any face-to-face meeting on the horizon of the year 2023. The various summits concocted are gradually dying out, while the machine of war of the M23 logs and toils in the conquered territories without knowing what will become of their adventure.
Despite everything, there is good news for the DRC, with for example the organization of the young Congolese entrepreneurs fair, which allowed a day of inspiration, exchange and financing for young entrepreneurs. In addition, Julienne Lusenge has been appointed deputy coordinator of the national monitoring mechanism for the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement in the DRC, which is a step forward for the representation of women in peacebuilding.
In conclusion, the evolution of the last months in the DRC shows that the situation is improving, even if there is still a long way to go.. Félix Tshisekedi’s efforts are to be welcomed, as are those of civil society actors and entrepreneurs who are committed to a more prosperous future.