Finally, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) can take a breather after a tense electoral period. The re-election of President Félix Tshisekedi has been announced, and diplomatic reactions are starting to flow. Among these, the congratulations of Kenyan President William Ruto were particularly awaited, given the current tensions between Kinshasa and Nairobi.
In an official message on his Twitter account, President Ruto expressed his sincere congratulations to Felix Tshisekedi on his electoral victory. He welcomed this major milestone in the democratic history of the DRC and expressed enthusiasm to strengthen relations between Kenya and the DRC for the mutual benefit of both countries.
This declaration comes in a delicate diplomatic context between the two capitals. The creation of the Congo River Alliance in Nairobi, by Corneille Nangaa, former president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the DRC, has raised concerns in Kinshasa. The presence of Bertrand Bisimwa, political leader of the M23, described as a terrorist group by Kinshasa and supported by the Rwandan army, increased tensions.
The Congolese authorities reacted strongly to this approach from Nairobi, going so far as to recall their ambassador to Kenya. The declarations of the Minister of Communication and Media of Kinshasa, Patrick Muyaya, as well as the demands of President Tshisekedi towards Nangaa and Bisimwa, contributed to an escalation of tensions between the two countries.
However, William Ruto’s measured response that his country only arrests criminals, but that statements are part of democracy, was seen as a political and diplomatic gesture aimed at defusing tensions and paving the way for a normalization of relations between Kenya and the DRC.
Some experts, such as Michel Bisa Kibul, geopolitologist and professor of political science at the University of Kinshasa, believe that Ruto’s political response helped to improve the image of the M23, transforming it into a movement that is both international and local. . Currently, the peace process, known as the “Nairobi Process”, is at an impasse, and William Ruto appears to aspire to revive diplomatic relations between Kenya and the DRC following the re-election of Felix Tshisekedi.
In conclusion, Kenyan President William Ruto’s congratulations to Félix Tshisekedi for his re-election in the DRC are an encouraging sign of de-escalation of diplomatic tensions between the two countries. It remains to be seen whether this desire for normalization will materialize in practice and allow fruitful cooperation between Kenya and the DRC. Only the future will tell us.