**DRC: The Implicit Complexity of Alliances in Times of War**
In the whirlwind of tense relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, a voice is raised, that of the pan-African activist Kemi Seba, who sheds a disturbing light on the behind the scenes of this war. According to him, France and Ukraine would have an active role in Rwandan military operations, thus supporting a thesis that challenges both the current geopolitical dynamics and questions the national sovereignty reflexes of African states.
Kemi Seba’s assertion, relayed by the political scientist Patrick Mbeko, reveals an often neglected aspect of African conflicts: the notion of geopolitical voyeurs. Indeed, the presence of foreign military advisors in Rwanda, as Seba suggests, is not a first in the history of international relations and raises profound questions about the place of Western powers in African affairs. Why should it be surprising that foreign armies would attempt to influence conflicts, when Africa is often seen as a playground for much broader geostrategic stakes?
The complexity of this situation is exacerbated by the internal dynamics in the DRC, where growing distrust of Western powers seems to be fueling a quest for new partnerships. In this regard, activist Franklin Nyamwisi’s comparison of the situation in Kinshasa to that of the Sahel—particularly Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—is worth exploring in more depth. Over the past decade, these countries have expressed disappointment with military cooperation that they considered superfluous, crafted by partners whose true intentions left something to be desired. This paradigm shift has resulted in a strategic refocusing on allies that can be described as “non-traditional,” such as Russia.
Yet, this reflection on the anxiety of choosing alliances must be done with caution. The situation in Central Africa is marked by historical, cultural and economic specificities that call for a multifaceted analysis. The DRC, for example, has been hit by decades of instability, exploitation and external interference. The misery in the DRC is not only based on territorial or ethnic conflicts, but also on the geopolitics of natural resources, often coveted by international actors who feed the cycle of violence. This pernicious exploitation is exacerbated by simplistic discourses that pit the “West” against the “East”, while local realities shape improbable alliances..
Kemi Seba’s call to look to creditors like Russia, with a nostalgic look at the possibilities of the Soviet era, also calls into question a fundamental notion: the notion of sovereignty and the capacity of African states to forge autonomous foreign policies. What does it really mean to free oneself from a former colonial power? Is it a complete withdrawal or a redefinition of relations, allowing the DRC to negotiate on an equal footing with external powers without losing its own identity and integrity?
Highlighting the situation in the Sahel and the strategic developments of countries facing insecurity also highlights another reality: the consequences of changes in partners are deeply ambivalent. Military actions against terrorism in the Sahel, even if they have restored a certain stability at certain levels, have also engendered resentment towards the former colonial powers, thus revealing an impasse where mutual trust is struggling to find its way.
It therefore appears essential that the DRC, while being aware of its internal and external problems, develop a nuanced vision that links national interests to international geopolitics without sacrificing its dignity and sovereignty. The quest for new alliances should go hand in hand with a clear desire to redefine the terms of cooperation, allowing the exploitation of the country’s resources for the benefit of its people.
Thus, while Kemi Seba and Franklin Nyamwisi carry this discourse that questions the status quo, it is up to Congolese society to engage in an open, complex and documented debate on the future of its sovereignty, well beyond martial proclamations and ideological clashes. Ultimately, it is perhaps the tangle of internal and external interests, sublimated by the voice of the Congolese people, that will decide the fate of the DRC.