Congo at a Crossroads: Is Félix Tshisekedi a Good Leader?

Congo at a Crossroads: Is Félix Tshisekedi a Good Leader?

Lately, I’ve found myself caught between two perspectives. On one hand, my dad praises President Félix Tshisekedi, convinced that he is doing good things for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He watches independent Congolese journalists who report on the country’s affairs, most of whom speak French. On the other hand, I find myself struggling to see what my dad sees. Am I being overly critical? Is he blinded by the few things Tshisekedi has done right? Or is the truth somewhere in between?

The Reality in Congo Right Now

Congo is facing multiple crises. Just recently, I came across reports of:

A Mutant Mpox Outbreak – A new, highly contagious strain of the Clade 1a mpox virus is spreading, with severe symptoms and a high fatality rate.

A Mysterious Deadly Illness – Over 60 deaths have been reported due to an unidentified illness with Ebola-like symptoms, but the response has been slow due to a lack of funding.

Escalating Conflict in Eastern DRC – The M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, have taken over major cities like Goma and Bukavu. A recent explosion in Bukavu killed 17 people, worsening an already volatile situation.

Environmental Damage – Chinese-operated gold mining in protected areas is destroying the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This is not the picture of a stable country. So, what is President Félix Tshisekedi doing about it?

Tshisekedi’s Response: Progress or Failure?

From what I’ve gathered, Tshisekedi is:

Pushing for a new constitution that he claims will give more power to the people.

Continuing military operations with Uganda to fight the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Making diplomatic moves, but facing challenges in handling the ongoing conflict.

Some people, like my dad, see these as signs of progress. Others, including many independent journalists, argue that his leadership has been weak and reactive rather than strategic.

Why This Blog?

One thing I struggle with is accessing the perspectives of Congolese independent journalists because most of them speak French and deep Lingala. I know I’m not the only one. Many younger Congolese, especially those in the diaspora, might not be fluent in French but still want to stay informed.

So, I’m starting this blog to break down what’s happening in the DRC, in English, with an open mind. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I want to explore both sides—what Tshisekedi is doing right and where he’s failing.

Is he truly leading Congo in the right direction? Or are people, like my dad, just seeing a few good moves and ignoring the bigger picture?

I’ll be diving deeper into this in future posts, so stay tuned. Let’s figure this out together. 🇨🇩✊🏿

Reference:

1. President Félix Tshisekedi Addressing the Nation:

Photographer/Source: Specific photographers for these images are not directly mentioned in the provided sources. However, reputable news outlets such as Reuters and The Guardian have covered President Tshisekedi's public appearances.

Source: Reuters

2. M23 Rebels in Eastern DRC:

Photographer/Source: Arlette Bashizi, a Congolese photographer, documented the events leading up to and following the M23 rebels' capture of Goma.

Source: The Guardian

Credit Line Suggestion: "Photo by Arlette Bashizi, as featured in The Guardian."

3. Humanitarian Crisis Imagery:

Photographer/Source: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham, a British photographer, has captured striking images of civilians displaced by conflict in the DRC.

Source: RFI

Credit Line Suggestion: "Photograph by Hugh Kinsella Cunningham, via RFI."