**Joseph Kabila and Claudel Lubaya: Towards a new political dynamic in the face of the crisis in eastern Congo?**
On January 6, 2025, an unexpected meeting took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between former Congolese President Joseph Kabila and Claudel André Lubaya, a former member of parliament and prominent member of the opposition. This meeting, in the context of an acute security crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raises questions not only about the political motivations that drive these two actors, but also about the future prospects for the Congolese nation in the face of increasingly pressing challenges.
### A meeting with historical resonances
Beyond the simple convergence of political interests in times of crisis, it is essential to remember that Joseph Kabila and Claudel Lubaya have trajectories that, despite their differences, intersect many times in Congolese political history. Kabila, who led the country from 2001 to 2019, has often been criticized for his approach to conflict management in the east of the country, while Lubaya, as an opposition figure, has consistently advocated for reform of the armed forces and greater involvement of civil society in decision-making.
This meeting in Addis Ababa recalls the consultation meetings that took place in the 2000s, where different political actors sought to come together around a common project, despite structural weaknesses and a proliferation of armed groups. In this sense, this meeting could be seen as a strong signal: in the face of the emergency, political actors must put aside their old quarrels to consider a national mobilization.
### Criticisms of security management: a reflection of internal tensions
The joint statement of the two leaders highlights important criticisms of the current regime led by Félix Tshisekedi. According to Kabila and Lubaya, the ruling power favors the interventions of foreign forces to the detriment of the capacities of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). This accusation raises a central point: the question of national sovereignty in the face of external interventions. For several decades, the DRC has been the scene of a heated debate concerning the role of foreign forces in the management of internal conflicts. The criticisms against the Congolese state, castigating its inability to defend its own interests, resonate like an echo of history, where foreign interventions have often led to disastrous results.
Moreover, the joint criticism of the management of the crisis by the ruling power could also indicate frictions within the opposition, recurrent in the Congolese political landscape, where the agreement between different tendencies is often fragile. This new coalition effort between political figures with different narratives could signify the will to offer a credible alternative, but also the need to overcome historical rivalries.
### National mobilization: a call for historical unity
The call for “national mobilization” formulated by Kabila and Lubaya evokes a strong notion in the Congolese collective imagination. The need to rally around the national cause is felt in light of the recent tragic events that have affected the populations of the east of the country. The war, with its procession of innocent victims, displacements and destruction, requires a united front, going beyond simple political rivalries.
The recent statistics concerning internally displaced people in the DRC are alarming: according to the latest reports, millions of people have sought refuge in other provinces or abroad because of the persistent violence of armed groups. In this light, Kabila and Lubaya’s call for mobilization can serve as a catalyst, encouraging recognition of the suffering endured by the populations and the need for concrete actions. The challenge is also to demand respect for human rights and the dignity of the victims.
### Towards a redefinition of the Congolese political landscape?
The meeting in Addis Ababa could be the beginning of a new chapter for Congolese politics, by providing a space for dialogue and collaboration between political figures long perceived as opposed. That said, the sustainability of this commitment will depend on the ability of the two actors to transcend past rivalries and formulate concrete proposals for a peaceful and unified future.
The stakes are high: strengthening the capacities of the national armed forces, improving the living conditions of populations affected by conflict, and above all, establishing an inclusive political system that will allow all voices – including those of youth, women and marginalized groups – to be heard and integrated into the democratic process.
In short, as Kabila and Lubaya meet in Addis Ababa, the DRC stands at a crucial crossroads. The choices that will be made in the coming weeks will determine not only the ability of leaders to join forces, but also the future of a nation in search of peace and stability.