BERLIN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 15: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi addresses the media during a press conference with the German Chancellor at the Chancellery on November 15, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. Tshisekedi, who took office in January of this year, is visiting France and Germany this week. (Photo by Michele Tantussi/Getty Images)
During an official visit to Luanda, Angola, where he received a warm welcome from his counterpart João Lourenço, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, delivered a remarkably potent political address that resonated deeply with attendees.
Speaking at the 3rd edition of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) initiative, the Head of State issued a stern rebuke to the international community for its inertia regarding the severe security crisis gripping Eastern DRC. He raised his voice, criticizing a world order that appears to have lost its moral compass.
For Félix Tshisekedi, the ongoing tragedy in Congo must no longer be viewed as a mere regional incident, but rather as a stark indicator of a collective failure of international law.
“we cannot accept the silence of convenience”
Addressing an audience of global leaders, diplomats, and civil society representatives, the Congolese President eschewed polished diplomatic language, instead delivering harsh truths about the human tragedy unfolding in his nation:
“We must reject the trivialization of war. We cannot be content with fleeting indignation. We cannot accept the silence of convenience, nor simply count the victims only to forget them. We cannot allow international law to become a ceremonial language devoid of real impact.”
This direct appeal unequivocally targets the lack of concrete action from major powers in response to Rwandan aggression, perpetrated under the guise of the M23 rebellion. By emphasizing that peace should not be reduced to empty rhetoric or a “temporary cessation of hostilities,” the Head of State demands that justice, truth, and respect for national sovereignty finally guide multilateral resolutions.
the eastern conflict: a litmus test for global order
Expanding on his reflections, Félix Tshisekedi cautioned the assembly that turning a blind eye to the security chaos in the Great Lakes region poses a systemic danger to the entire planet:
“The battle the DRC is fighting extends far beyond its borders; it concerns not only the security of a Central African nation, but it questions the very solidity of the international order we claim to uphold, because wherever the law of the strongest prevails over the force of law, no people are safe in the long term…”
From Kinshasa’s perspective, the situation in Eastern Congo serves as a crucial credibility test for multilateralism. If the borders of a sovereign state can be violated with impunity, and sponsored by neighboring countries without significant sanctions, then the global security of every nation is undeniably undermined.
strategic discussions with joão lourenço on the sidelines
On the margins of this forum, Félix Tshisekedi and João Lourenço, who is the African Union’s designated mediator for the DRC security crisis, held a private meeting. The two leaders assessed the on-the-ground situation and discussed the next steps for the peace initiatives outlined in the Luanda process.
With the DRC assuming the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council since July 1, 2026, this impactful statement in Luanda marks the beginning of a significant diplomatic offensive aimed at compelling the international community to move beyond words and take decisive action.
