On January 18, 2025, in his public address during the ceremony of exchange of wishes, for 2025, with the members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the DR Congo, the DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi, has reiterated his positions regarding the invasion of Eastern DRC by Rwandan troops. In his address, he called for overdues international sanctions against Rwandan leaders, and rejected any proposition of a dialogue with M23, considering the pressure as an external attempt to legitimize the invasion of Rwandan troops under the cover of M23.
The speech happened following the controversial statements by Rwandan dictator Paul Kagame claiming that Felix Tshisekedi was never elected. Paul Kagame also appeared to mock Félix Tshisekedi one of " african idiot leaders".
In his speech addressing the members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the DR Congo and invited at the Palais de la Nation, in Kinshasa, Félix Tshisekedi called for "concrete and immediate sanctions" against Rwandan leaders to end this conflict and to "avoid a regional escalation".
At the same time, he reaffirmed that "the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo remains determined to defend the integrity of its territory and to protect its fellows citizens against all forms of aggression".
Despite the challenges faced by the DRC army, FARDC, in combats against Rwandan troops in Eastern DRC over the years, he assured that the Congolese Government continues to strengthen the operational capacities of its defense forces, FARDCm to eradicate all armed groups responsible for violence.
At the same time, President Félix Tshisekedi reaffirmed his will to peacefully resolve the crisis between the DRC and Rwanda. However, he said that "The DRC will never submit to any pressure from external actors trying to impose conditions contrary to our interests and our sovereignty. We will never cease to reaffirm our position, dialogue with a terrorist group like the M23 is a red line that we will never cross."
His speech comes after several countries and world powers, including the United States of America and the European Union condemned the invasion of Eastern DRC by Rwanda and sowing the terror in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, using advanced weapons, including missiles (sed; US - DR Congo - Rwanda : US Government Reinforces Condemnation of Rwanda's Invasion of Eastern DRC and the Use of Missiles).
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Speeches, Promises, Controversies, and Political Dynamics: What is Next?
Félix Tshisekedi welcomed the condemnations issued by certain States against Rwanda, but reaffirmed that these positions are not enough and need to go further to "concrete and immediate sanctions" against Rwanda to end this conflict and "avoid a regional escalation".
He reminded that Rwanda's direct support for the M23, was well documented in a regport by United Nations Group of Experts published in December 2024, which confirmed and provided evidence of the presence of thousands of Rwandan soldiers on Congolese territory, as well as their involvement in the illegal exploitation of the country's natural resources. The findings were also confirmed by the US Government.
On January 15, 2025, The United States of America government, reacting to the mid-term report published by the United Nations Group of Experts on Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in December 2024, condemned the illegal invasion and presence of several thousand of Rwandan troops in the eastern DRC, under the cover of M23 rebels. The reaction was published in a statement released by the US State Department.
Felix Tshisekedi also appeared to shift the focus of the importance of the support from regional actors and cooperation in addressing security challenges, praising the efforts of SADC which renewed the mandate in 2024 of its peace keeping forces known as SAMI/DRC.
His speech has been well received by the Congolese people. However, the question remains on what the next steps would be, especially given the mocking of Rwandan dictator Paul Kagame, the changes of governments among super powers, including the Unites States of America, and the fact that during his elections campaigns in 2023, Felix Tshisekedi promised to fight the Rwandan invasion and counter attack all way to Kigali, Rwanda but never materialize his promises.
In fact, on Friday night, December 8 2023, President Felix Tshisekedi on a presidential campaign for his reelection, while addressing his supporters, directed his attacks against Rwandan dictator Paul Kagame (see DR Congo - Rwanda : After Comparing Rwandan Dictator Paul Kagame to Hitler, DR Congo President Tshisekedi Promises Overthrowing His Regime If Reelected.)
He compared him to the German NAZI leader Adolph Hitler and promised that he will make sure that Paul Kagame will have an end similar to Adolph Hitler's. Then, during a following campaign stop in Kinshasa, Felix Tshisekedi promised his supporters that, if elected, he would declare war against Paul Kagame and invade Rwanda all way to Kigali to overthrow Paul Kagame's regime. After the election, nothing happened and he retracted his threats.
Now, Paul Kagame appears to return the threats.
@AfroAmerica Network 2025
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