President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, during an official visit to Luanda, Angola, where he received a warm welcome from his Angolan counterpart João Lourenço, delivered a profoundly impactful political address.
Speaking at the 3rd edition of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) initiative, the head of state vehemently criticized the global community’s passivity concerning the severe security crisis gripping Eastern RDC. He raised his voice against a global order that appears to be losing its moral compass.
For President Tshisekedi, the ongoing tragedy in Congo demands more than being dismissed as a mere regional incident; it exposes a collective failure of international law.
« we cannot accept the silence of conveniences »
Addressing an audience of world leaders, diplomats, and civil society representatives, the Congolese President deliberately avoided diplomatic pleasantries, instead delivering stark truths about the human catastrophe unfolding in his nation:
“We must reject the normalization of war. We cannot be content with fleeting indignation. We cannot accept the silence of convenience, nor merely count victims only to forget them. We cannot allow international law to become a ceremonial language devoid of real impact.”
This direct plea targets the lack of decisive action by major powers in response to the Rwandan aggression, perpetuated under the guise of the M23 rebellion. By emphasizing that peace cannot be reduced to empty rhetoric or a “temporary cessation of hostilities,” the head of state insists that justice, truth, and respect for national sovereignty must finally guide multilateral resolutions.
the eastern conflict: a crash-test for the global order
Expanding on his concerns, Félix Tshisekedi warned the assembly that ignoring the security chaos in the Great Lakes region poses a systemic risk to the entire world:
“The struggle waged by the RDC extends far beyond its borders; it does not solely concern the security of a Central African nation. It questions the very resilience of the international order we claim to uphold, because wherever the law of the strongest prevails over the strength of law, no people can remain safe indefinitely…”
Kinshasa views the situation in Eastern Congo as the ultimate test of multilateralism’s credibility. If a sovereign state’s borders can be violated with impunity, sponsored by neighboring countries without significant repercussions, then the global security of every nation is fundamentally undermined.
strategic discussions behind the scenes with joão lourenço
On the sidelines of the forum, Félix Tshisekedi held a private meeting with João Lourenço, who has been appointed by the African Union as a mediator for the RDC security crisis. The two leaders assessed the situation on the ground and discussed the progression of peace initiatives under the Luanda process.
With the RDC having recently assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, this impactful declaration in Luanda signals the launch of a significant diplomatic offensive. The aim is to compel the international community to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action.
