The unexpected alliance between Joseph Kabila and Moïse Katumbi, two major political figures in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raises many questions and stirs up passions. While the two men seemed until now to be on diametrically opposed political trajectories, their recent meeting in Ethiopia and the joint statement that followed have radically changed the situation.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently going through a tumultuous period, marked by growing insecurity in the east of the country, where the M23 rebels have conquered vast territories. In this context, the harsh criticism of Félix Tshisekedi’s presidency by Kabila and Katumbi resonates as a warning to the regime in power. Their joint statement denouncing the presence of illegal armed forces and calling on political forces to unite against what they call a “dictatorship” could mark a turning point in Congolese political life.
However, this alliance between Kabila and Katumbi is not without controversy. The two men are indeed accused by Kinshasa of collusion with Rwanda, a neighboring country and major player in the conflicts in the DRC. In addition, the United Nations has pointed out Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebels, thus shedding a worrying light on the links between the protagonists of this new alliance.
The meeting between Kabila and Katumbi at the 2022 forum, where the former rivals exchanged a symbolic handshake, suggests the possibility of an unprecedented political convergence. If this alliance is confirmed, it could reshuffle the cards of the Congolese political landscape and open the way to new perspectives for the future of the DRC.
Ultimately, the alliance between Joseph Kabila and Moïse Katumbi constitutes a major event in the political news of the Democratic Republic of Congo. While the motivations and implications of this union remain to be clarified, one thing is certain: it will leave no one indifferent and could well redefine the balance of power in the country.