### A political return to tension: the PPRD in the face of the DRC’s challenges
On April 7, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was the scene of a major political event. The People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), a direct heir to Joseph Kabila’s regime, celebrated its 23rd birthday in Kinshasa. This also marked the return of the party to the political scene after an absence of six years, during which he faced significant challenges, including an electoral defeat in 2018 and a boycott of the 2023 elections.
In a tense political and security context, the launch of this political school year has not only taken on symbolic importance, but also paved the way for a reflection on the very nature of the opposition in the DRC and the role of the ancient regimes in the current political spectrum. Several hundred activists, brandishing flags and wearing the party colors, stormed the capital. This suggests that despite defections and prolonged opposition, the base of the PPRD remains, at least in appearance, solid and committed.
### Nostalgia for power
The marked presence of Joseph Kabila, even at a distance – a former president who lives abroad but who continues to make his voice heard through the media – recalls an era when the PPRD dominated the Congolese political scene. The acerbic criticism that Kabila addressed to the current regime of Félix Tshisekedi highlight a communication strategy which seems to capitalize on the growing frustration of the Congolese in the face of the security crisis, especially in the east of the country.
The dynamics of this return to stage cannot ignore the impact of socio -political developments. The DRC is faced with a political identity crisis, where the past of a party can be used to galvanize the spirits in the face of an uncertain present. Shadary’s declaration, qualifying the opposition of “nationalists” and “political” resistants rather than violent, is part of a desire to legitimize the position of the PPRD while distanting itself from the label of extremism which has often been stuck to the movements of opposition.
### Towards an inclusion or exclusion policy?
The crucial question underlying this return is that of political dialogue. The PPRD, under the leadership of Shadary, clearly rejected attempts to consult the power in place. This decision highlights a potential fracture within the Congolese political landscape, where gathering initiatives seem to be doomed to failure in a climate of mutual distrust. Shadary’s declaration, highlighting the fact that Tshisekedi has an overwhelming majority in Parliament, poses a challenge to the idea that dialogue is necessary, leading to question: who really benefits this situation?
The figures speak for themselves: the president’s parliamentary majority, with more than 400 of 500 deputies, reveals an imbalance of power which could enhance unilateral initiatives rather than a real effort of inclusion. Here, we can make a comparison with other countries in the region, where the concentration of power has often been synonymous with repression and contempt for the opposition. The examples of neighboring countries where the lack of union has caused prolonged conflicts are legion, and the DRC seems to follow a similar trajectory.
### Implications for the future
Beyond combativeness speeches, the question of the future of the PPRD-and the DRC as a whole-inevitably arises. How can a party that tasted in power are reinvented in opposition while remaining relevant for a population that aspires to a tangible change? The importance of an inclusive dialogue cannot be underestimated in the search for long-term stability.
Statistics reveal that Congolese confidence in their political institutions has decreased considerably in recent years. According to recent surveys, almost 75% of the population expresses concerns about security and economic management. In this context, the PPRD could consider a more strategic positioning, focused not only on dispute, but also on practical solutions to challenges that afflict the nation.
### Conclusion
In short, the political start of the PPRD not only marks the return of a traditional actor on the Congolese political scene, but also reveals a series of essential questions about the current state of democracy in the DRC. In a society where the need for dialogue and participation is more significant than ever, the PPRD will have the responsibility to prove that it is capable of evolving and providing answers to the expectations of a people tired by the promises not held and persistent violence. The path to a real democracy in the DRC remains sown with pitfalls, but it is essential for the future of the country that all political actors are embarking on a constructive path rather than in polarization.